Community Employment Resource Centre

 

Ask A Job Coach

The Community Employment Resource Centre (CERC) brings you this weekly column as an extension of our on-line service.  We provide referrals to other agencies, advice on job search issues, as well as dates and / or information pertaining to upcoming job fairs.  We invite you to use this service by dropping into or calling either office (Cobourg:  The Fleming Building, 905-372-9372; Port Hope:  Lakeland Place, 74L Queen St. (beside Town Hall), 905-885-2372) or through our website:  www.cercnorthumberland.com.

 

QUESTION

 

I have recently found myself looking for employment.  It has been a while since I have generated a resume and I am confused by all the advice I have received from friends and family.  Can you help clarify what an employer likes or dislikes in a resume??

 

ANSWER

 

It is easy to understand how you may feel confused.  A resume is a very controversial topic.  Not only do all your friends and family have differing opinions, but so does the potential employer.  Recently ResumeDoctor.com completed a survey where they interviewed 5000 recruiters and hiring managers.  The list below identifies their pet peeves in descending order.

1.      Spelling errors, typos and poor grammar

2.      Too duty oriented – use contributions you made to previous employers (accomplishments are unique to you, duties are generic to position)

3.      Dates not complete or accurate

4.      Incomplete contact information – include full name/address, all phone numbers, and email address –not placed in a header or footer

5.      Poor formatting – many fancy features do not convert well into human resource databases or show well on a computer screen; keep it simple

6.      Insufficient details on functional resumes – alleviate employers concerns by supplying the details of when, where, what effects, etc.

7.      Long resumes – no longer than 2 pages

8.      Long paragraphs – use concise bulleted points – easier to skim/read

9.      Candidates that apply for positions they are not qualified for – it is your job to make connection from your past to current opportunity

10.  Personal information not relevant to the position – any potentially discriminating information

11.  Previous employer or industry information not included – include your previous fields of employment to give hiring manager some concept of previous environments

12.  Lying or misleading information – don’t exaggerate job titles or duties

13.  Meaningless objectives or introductions – don’t be generic, show uniqueness and how you intend to contribute to company

14.  Poor font choice – choose one that is easy to read on the computer screen

15.  Resumes not sent as Word attachment or in plain text files – pdf, mac files etc, do not convert easily into human resource databases

16.  Pictures, graphics or URLs – takes up unnecessary space, time to open file

17.  Lack of an easy to follow summary – highlight your match with requirements at the start of the resume in a summary section

18.  Resumes written in 1st or 3rd person

19.  Gaps in employment – raises flags, be prepared to explain gaps

20.  Burying or not including important information – place in summary section rather than deep in the resume

 

Hope this helps!