These days, job seekers are doing whatever they can to make their resumes stand out from the rest. There are so many resume experts telling you what you should and shouldn’t do. Some of the advice is helpful and some is not so helpful, but wouldn’t it be best to hear from the people who will actually be reading your resume? We thought so. That’s why we asked some of our very own recruiters to share their best pieces of resume advice for job seekers.
Resume Advice from Real-Life Recruiters:
A resume reader takes about 6 seconds to determine if they want to continue reading, so make it count; not with fancy pictures or clip art, but with an organized layout and easy to read information.
Don’t try to make your resume sound smarter than you really are. Use words that you know.
A resume is not a conversation you are having with the reader. It is what makes the reader want to have a conversation with you. Use bullet points and be concise.
Don’t lie. Don’t fudge just a little. Don’t embellish. Don’t exaggerate.If you didn’t do it, don’t put it on a resume.
Tailor your resume to the job you are applying for. If you have skills that the job requires, then list them on your resume (you’d be surprised how many people leave off important skills).
I want to know more than just your title or where you worked. Tell me what the job responsibilities were and what skills or programs you used.
Be honest with recruiters; we are on the same side. If it’s on your resume, then we expect it’s something you can do.
If you are currently working, make sure everything about your current position is in the present tense (e.g. I recruit candidates).
For all previous jobs, everything should be in the past tense (e.g. I recruited candidates).
The most prime “real estate” on your resume is the top half of the left side. Make sure your name, address/contact info, and current or most recent place of employment are somewhere in that space.
Always start with the most recent dates of employment, but don’t list every job you’ve ever had. If you worked somewhere for a few years (or less) way back when, it’s probably not very relevant.
Only put your education at the top of your resume if you’ve recently graduated or have gone back for another degree. Otherwise, put it at the bottom. The first thing an employer sees should not be that you graduated college over 20 years ago.
Multiple temporary positions with a specific agency is a positive thing. Headline the agency and list the different titles you held. Do not showcase every 2 to 3 week assignment as its own section.
I had a candidate who was interviewed and offered a position, but when his education verification showed he did not actually complete the degree listed on his resume he was terminated before he even started.
I always stress that everything on a resume must be factual. Don’t even insinuate something that can’t be verified.
So how’d you do? Did your resume pass the recruiter test or does it still need some work? A few simple changes might be the only thing you need to land that big interview.
