RESUME ADVICE

 Never give reasons for termination or leaving a job. In almost all cases, the reader can find negative connotations to even the best explanation.

Never list hobbies, sports and social activities.

Never state “References Available on Request.” It’s assumed, and only clutters up the resume. Other things to leave out include your Social Security number, your spouse’s occupation and your personal philosophies.

Never list references on the resume.

Never use exact dates. Months and years are sufficient.

Never include the date your resume was prepared. If your search takes longer then a few months, the resume will appear outdated.

Never include your company phone number unless your immediate boss is aware of your departure.

Never include your height, weight or remarks about your physical appearance or health.

Never list your high school or grammar school if you’re a college graduate.

Never state your objectives on your resume unless the resume is targeted to that position or occupation.

Never use the so-called “action words” like sparked, accelerated and streamlined. They’re passe.

Never provide salary information on the resume. Save it for the interview. If you are required to give that information, reveal it in the cover letter.

Focus on nouns, not verbs

 The computer searches resumes for the “key words” it has been programmed to find-words that define the requisites of a particular job. The key words for an accountant, for example, might include “BS Civil Engineeriing, estimating, pre-cast concrete, drill sharts and MBA.” If your scanned resume doesn’t contain these key words, the computer passes it by…and you’re out of the running.

While there are no absolute content rules in computer resume searches, the majority of experts agree that the action verbs that work so well on paper resumes lose their punch on scannable resumes. Job computers rarely search for a match on verbs like “inspired, built, calibrated, represented, or verified.” Yes, your resume should include action verbs for sentence flow and human eyes; a computer just won’t search for them. The higher the number of key words you have in your resume the greater are your chances of leaving e-storage and popping to the screen where humans can get a good look at you. The key words work as a kind of electronic catcher’s mitt by nabbing employers’ attention.