Comments on: 5 things you should never put on your resume

By: ukjobs

ukjobs — Mon, 06 Sep 2010 03:30:43 +0000

A note to all job hunters: Please, please, PLEASE write a cover letter to accompany your resume! I have spent the past two days reviewing resumes while my company’s recruiter is out of town, and I’ve discovered that about 90 percent of our applicants (we get about 12,000 a year) don’t send a cover letter at all. About 9 percent send something like the first example. I weep with gratitude for the 1 percent who write a cover letter like your perfect example. I think I can say this on behalf of every recruiter out there: Use your cover letter to give me a reason to put your resume on the top of the pile!

By: Jeremiah Allen

Jeremiah Allen — Tue, 08 Jun 2010 22:12:14 +0000

Fluff wording should never be included in a resume. If you don’t have anything else to say, stop writing.

Don’t embellish. Don’t elaborate. Don’t posture. Don’t do what I’m doing right now by making this comment longer than it needs to be.

By: Candace Shields

Candace Shields — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 16:00:27 +0000

Outstanding post; I found it very helpful. I’m a professional resume writer and am asked these questions all the time. I will be directing clients to your very informative blog.

By: Andrew Jordan

Andrew Jordan — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 03:34:36 +0000

I once opened a resume from a “star” salesman and was showered with little stars like you stick on kids report cards when they get a star.
That was the worst I ever saw.

By: j pantell

j pantell — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 12:33:31 +0000

Who cares what you put on your resume .I worked for 15yrs at the same job I have no other experience except for housewife.Now try to find a job in a state with no jobs for the factory worker with no other experience.I’m old I don’t want to go to school I just want a job that isn’t 20miles away

By: Leandro Lemos

Leandro Lemos — Sat, 17 Oct 2009 04:11:16 +0000

Hi!!
I’m a .NET software engineer, Last week I send my resume for one consulting firm, very light with 2 pages…. they call me back asking for a resume with 4 pages minimum =| , they say with 10 years experience you could not use a two pages resume! There’s any relation about years of experience with number of pages on resume?

Thanks!!
Leandro Lemos

By: robb

robb — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 08:28:02 +0000

i didn’t see there’s anything wrong with putting age or marital status in resume.
overall, good points u have there.

By: Barbara Nixon

Barbara Nixon — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 13:18:34 +0000

Thanks for your tips, Lindsay. I appreciate how you not only offer the suggestions, but also explain your rationale. A question for you . . . How might you adapt your advice for soon-to-be college grads? (Tip #2 could be a challenge for them, as it would leave most of their resumes bare.)

By: Graeme Fraser

Graeme Fraser — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 15:08:35 +0000

Having gone through this process myself over the past 2 months, here are some additional thoughts:

1. Personal data: Don’t include house address, or even middle name, on an CV you are going to post online. You need to think about data protection.
2. References: agree with Lindsay. Include a linke to your linkedin, you’ll have recommendations here that can be viewed
3. Hobbies: I agree in part with lindsay here. Yes they should be relevent, however, if they demonstrate achievements, which in turn reflect your skills, goals and ambitions as a person include them i.e. I have run several marathons: commitment, ambitions, dedication, even project management.
4. I would say for each role on your CV, list a maximum of 6/7 achievements. That way they will all have a strong impact.
5. Two page: On the whole I agree. Also bear in mind font and font size. Make sure the font is clear and legible. Arial is pretty safe, comic sans is not.
6. There is no such thing as the perfect CV
7. Each CV should be adapted depending on the role you are applying for.

By: Ron

Ron — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 21:47:27 +0000

I help people with their resumes. I’m a graphic designer and have been on the hiring side for many years. Here are my tips:

1.) Include an objective. Someone above said not to but I think now days, there are so many companies using search software to filter resumes. An objective is a great place to add keywords that will make your resume filter to the top.

2.) Send your resume flat. It’s important so don’t fold it.

3.) Make sure that every bullet point is doing its job. If it’s not popping, then it should not be on your resume.

4.) Write your resume in what I call the “I can” fashion. You want the reader to read every point and think to him/herself, “If I hire Lindsay, I can _____.” Example: “- Merged the marketing communications activities of three departments. It saved the company $125,000 per year and consolidated our branding efforts leading to a higher page ranking on Google.”

5.) That above example is also a good example of using your resume to write your interviewer’s questions for them. The interviewer is bound to ask, “How much higher on Google?” You don’t want to put everything in your resume or the interviewer will think they know you well enough that they don’t need to meet you. Leave them wanting more.