The workplace is not what it was five years ago. Neither is the job hunt. The most successful candidates are those who are ready and willing to adapt to a changing landscape. But it doesn't matter how ready you are for the modern workplace if your resume is straight out of 1994.
And sometimes, it's the most minute details that make all the difference. Does your resume speak to the modern hiring manager? Or does it need a serious makeover? Your resume might be passé if:
1. You've Forced It to Fit Onto One Page.
You've reduced your font size to eight, eliminated margins altogether and left out key information about yourself -- all to conform to that age-old, one-page resume rule. Big mistake. After all, would a recent college grad really need the same amount of resume real estate as someone who's been in the workforce for 20 years? Of course not.
Don't get me wrong: Your resume should be concise. Recruiters are busy people; they don't have time or the patience for long-winded career chronologies. But if your experience warrants two pages, by all means, don't limit yourself to one.
2. You List an Objective.
Of course you're looking to gain more experience in the field/sector/type of company to which you're applying. Your interest in the job implies that. Do you really need to say it at the very top of your resume? At this point in the selection process, hiring managers are far more interested in what you can do for them than in what they can do for you.
If you want to explain why you're applying for the job, say so in your cover letter. Resume space is far too valuable to waste on information that is redundant and inconsequential.
3. You Don't Brand Yourself.
With the rise of social networking, everyone has become their own brand, and you shouldn't be afraid to show companies what you represent. Don't just promote your accomplishments, but promote who you are.
Include your Twitter and blog URLs or your Google profile, so potential employers can learn more about you as a person. Twtbizcard is a great way to capture all of your 2.0 IDs. Of course, double-check to make sure there isn't anything you wouldn't want a potential employer to see on your sites.
4. You Write "References Available Upon Request" at the Bottom.
Once again, a waste of valuable space. Do you really need to say so? The hiring manager can only assume that if they ask you for references, you'll provide them. What are you going to say? No?
Instead, prepare a list of references with contact details and your relationship to each. Hold on to it until you're further along in the selection process; you don't want to annoy your references with repeated contact by employers who are less than serious about you. Most respectable employers wouldn't bother to contact a reference until they are fully ready to make you an offer.
5. You List Every Job You've Ever Had in Chronological Order
In the olden days, the person with the most experience got the job. Nowadays, the person who is most talented, has the most relevant skill set and has proved to be most valuable to her former employers gets the job.
If you want to be that person, make sure your resume says so. Don't list jobs that are irrelevant to the one you're applying for, just to fill up space. Instead, expand on the jobs that are relevant. Focus on measurable achievements in each role, as opposed to a play-by-play of your daily responsibilities.
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