By Michael Rozelle, Campus Representative, Ball State University
Resume building is always on the top of prospective job applicants’ minds. Learning the structure and basic do’s and don’ts of a resume is the first, and easiest, step. But how easy is writing the actual content? Ah ha—this is usually the step that most applicants’ stumble on. There are constantly articles on what’s right and wrong when regarding resume content. Mike O’Brien (CEO Climber.com) lists some downfalls in his article, Why Your Resume Isn’t Working.
The primary reason is sheer volume: recruiters are now reviewing at least 300 resumes per posted position, and taking approximately 10 to 30 seconds per document to decide whether or not a candidate is worthy of further review. Now more than ever, resumes are being used as reasons to say no to a candidate, not yes. What used to be considered minor errors--typographical issues, lack of scanability, or incomplete or poorly executed job-experience descriptions--are now enough to get your resume discarded.
Tips to follow:
Use generic 12-point fonts
Save your resume as a Word of PDF file
Create an easily scanned document
Optimize your resume with the appropriate keywords
Provide context for little-known companies
Entering into the fall semester and turning the corner towards graduation, I can relate to the stresses of resume building. I constantly am reviewing and editing my resume. It always helps to have someone’s point of view along with tips. The basic tips I follow are to keep it simple, yet effective. Strong descriptive words help pass the point without filling up the paper with clutter. Strong resume builders, like certifications and achievements, attract the interviewer’s eyes and can stimulate conversation. It’s always helpful to research resume tips before interviews.
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