RedJen's Rearview Mirror

I recently went though the chore of resume reading and I’ve got some advice to those updating resumes for whatever reason. The makeover section is generally focused on someone looking to change jobs, rather than someone directly out of school.

The point of the resume
After I read your resume, you want me to have questions! If I don’t have any questions, then I don’t need to talk to you. If you want the job, then you want to talk to me! Make sure we have something to talk about.

SUGGESTIONS FOR RESUME MAKEOVERS
Resume Length
•> A resume with 2 pages has the best chance to spark my interest.
• A resume with 3 or more pages starts with negative points.
• A resume with 5 or more pages had better belong to someone who saves the world on a regular basis and builds houses for disadvantaged children every weekend and on their yearly vacation or I won’t even talk to you.

Have an expanded resume and a tailored resume
•>> Get rid of stuff that has NOTHING to do with the position you’re applying, especially if your resume is over 2 pages long.
•> Before you send your resume, read the description of the position AND look for information on the overall employer as well. Tailor your resume to the position and the employer. If they are a proponent of Linux and OpenSource, don’t list things that are seen as antiquated to that segment of technology.
• Keep the long detailed resume, but keep it private! This has a lot of things you don’t want to forget, but not every employer needs to know about your entire history
• I need a project manager, so the year you were a car salesman does not interest me. The same goes for the year spent as a music instructor. If you are passionate about music, have a hobbies section to show you are a well rounded person.

The skills list
•> Tailor it to the position!
• Do not list every computer program you had ever touched. Please don’t tell me that you are proficient in Mozilla, Foxfire, Netscape and Internet Explorer. If you can’t use a web browser, you are not the right person for a Program Manager at a technology company.
• Outdated technology – Unless the job requires it, get rid of it. The only thing it will do is mark you as “old” and make me look for dates so I can guess your age.

Dates
•> Think of this like the Fifth Amendment. You have the right to remain silent, but anything you say can be used against you.
• I can’t ask you about your age, marital status, children and many other touchy things. Use this to your advantage!
• If you tell me you graduated from High School in 1970, it shouldn’t be much of a jump to assume that I’ve pegged you as over 50 (56 plus or minus 2 years).
• Any experience longer than 10 years is more than 10 years of varied experience in the field. Twenty years is more than ten years, but doesn’t always sound as good on a resume.

Less is More
•> Try to get your resume down to 2 pages. I’ll forgive 3 pages if you have RELEVANT stuff that is RECENT.
• Jobs from more than 10 years ago should be summarized or not listed.
• Awards from 10 years ago are cool, but not good resume material. (The exception being Pulitzers and Nobel awards.)
• Professional training should be limited to 6 lines or less. You can group things together and let me ask about the specifics later.
• Drop sections that don’t make you look good.
• If you have 10 years of experience and only a High School diploma, drop the education section and put more into the professional training

There are three questions I ask each person I interview:

1 - At your last/current position, what have you contributed that would remain after you moved on?
2 - Personal or Profressionally, what mark are you the most proud of leaving?
3 - What is something unique, impressive or distinctive about yourself?

I had someone tank an interview on the last question. He said he was average. If he thinks he's average, then I'll take his word on it.

Question:
My question though is how do you all feel about listing military background/ experience when it doesn't really pertain to the job? I always list it to show that I can work as part of a team, or as a leader. I list what I did, rank, and any honors earned.

RedJen's Answer:
If it is within the last 10 years, I would list any miliary service. The further from the position you are applying for, the less details I'd include, but rank, time frame and branch at a minimum. While not directly relivent, it shows you can commit to something, work as a team, work within a system and have some leadership training.