Author: Kim Zastrow
It’s basic. You’re submitting a resume to a company because you are interested in being hired by them. The company knows this. And, doubtlessly, they have countless other individuals who are interested in the same position as you and who also have submitted resumes. Put yourself in the position of the person being asked to comb through dozens of resumes. That individual has his or her own customary work to complete plus the added responsibility of selecting out ones to call in for interviews. Don’t make that individual’s life more challenging by having a cumbersome resume; it won’t improve your chances for an interview.
Ditch the Objective
Another no-brainer. You would like the job being proffered. You do not have to state that in an objective. This simply wastes document space that could otherwise be used for more relevant information such as your experience and why that makes you a desirable candidate. Here’s something else to consider. It’s not uncommon for companies to have other position openings for which they do not advertise. An individual that works with VITESSE had the experience of applying to an organization for Position A. She was informed that there were no openings for Position A, but she was welcome to apply for Position B, a less desirable position. She went ahead and applied for Position B and was called in for an interview. At the close of the interview, she was asked to step outside the office and wait. About 10 minutes later, she was called back in and offered her first choice of Position A. Having an objective of Position B on her resume no doubt would have limited her opportunity.
Don’t Offer; We’ll Ask
References. We like these because they are a guaranteed way for someone to say something positive about us. Employers know this too. They know that whoever they call from your list of references will have something positive to say about you. Honestly, you wouldn’t have included that individual’s contact information if you thought he or she would downgrade you. So, the company will assume that the individuals will have a bias in your favor; they may be looking for a more objective perspective. Still, the hiring company may want to explore all avenue of information about you, especially if they are serious about their consideration of you as a potential employee. What we at VITESSE recommend is that you have a separate document prepared with your list of references, should you be asked for that. Again, don’t waste valuable space on your resume with something that may or may not factor into the decision to call you for an interview.
So what else should I know about my resume?
Good question! And, there’s lots to learn to optimize your chances of catching the attention of your future employer. Check back to see how VitesseRecruiting can work for you.