Most people do not realize that a resume is really a personal marketing “brochure”. Yes, you are selling yourself, your skills, your knowledge and your time for the employer who hires you.
Eight seconds is the time that a professional bull rider must stay on his bull in a rodeo. This is also the time that your resume should attract the attention of a potential employer. Is he a guard or be relegated to “pile?”
It should also help put you ahead of the pack that just turns your life experiences on a piece of paper without any forethought.
Resume Tip # 1) Brevity. This is not the place to put the kitchen sink. If possible, a summary should be no more than one page. If you must put your experience 30 years ago, simply list the titles of work and stress from and to dates.
Resume Tip # 2) Be direct. Your name and contact details should be easily identifiable. No place to hide it in small print in an obscure area of the curriculum. Use bold letters for your name, it also sends a subtle message that you are a confident person. And do not forget your email address. We are in the 21st century after all.
Resume Tip # 3) Be specific. Tell the employer what kind of job / position you are looking for. The employer should not have to guess by looking through your resume. That, in my opinion, is the kiss of death. Remember the rule of eight seconds.
Resume Tip # 4) Nice guys and gals do not have to finish last. And, indeed, still looking good usually find their way to the top. Be sure to keep your resume organized as possible, with proper spacing, formatting and white space. And, indeed, be sure to check it on spelling and grammatical errors.
Resume Tip # 5) Honesty is always the best policy. If you misrepresent something on your resume, you could find yourself with not just one pink slip, but maybe even a trip to the courts. Keep your resume to the point and precise. You never know when a white lie comes back to haunt him, especially if you floated around many curricula.
