Resume length, listed information and the name game!

How Long should your resume be, and what should be on it?

The resume length issue seems to be a never ending one, and these days it's actually a little less important than in the past. As more and more Human Resources recruiting department are handling the entire process electronically, or scanning resumes and cover letters into a system, then combining that with information scoring your experience and skills with the hiring manager's guidelines - it can be a multiple page document regardless of the length of your resume. However, because your resume may still be handed to someone directly - the old 'one Page' option works best. If you go a bit over it's not a huge worry - as long as it's valuable content. The exception, however, is for the case of senior executives. You have to give many specific examples of your successes, and in this case a minimum of two pages is likely necessary.

Keywords (Yep, we keep mentioning this)
Many human-resource staffers will automatically scan your resume or use software or a digital database to check for certain keywords that relate to the position for which they are hiring. If you are familiar with the position and/or work within the same industry, you may know important words to use. If you're not sure what keywords an employer will be looking for, review similar job postings, talk to friends who hold that position or work within the industry, and so on.

List your experience!
Not your duties, your actual experience and what you got done, and how you brought tasks to completion. After all - you're trying to sell yourself. Modify the resume if necessary to showcase only your *relevant* experience to that specific position. It's more important that you show how you complete tasks than listing all the various tedious aspects associated with prior experience.

Conclusive Numbers
You need to show quantifiable results to prospective employers. Include the total budget you were responsible to oversee, the total number of staff, estimates of reduction in expenses, estimates of gains if you were in a marketing or sales based position. Remember, resumes aren't just about the skills you have, but how well you perform them!

Speaking of Skills
Don't leave an employer guessing that you know how to use Microsoft Office, let them know. If you have web editing software and content management experience, include that too. Make sure that any certifications or professional development or designations - related to technical skills - are included as well.

That brings us to Titles or 'The Name Game'
This is another point of contention and debate. Some HR types will tell you not to list 'Marketing Assistant' as your title and instead to have you embellish and list yourself as a 'Marketing Liaison, Scheduling Coordinator and Copywriter'. Be careful, however, as it's a slippery slope. If you take the descriptions too far then the Hiring Manager might not know what the heck you did! Keep it in check, make sure you show the description to a few friends whose knowledge and experience you respect and, if it seems to create confusion, simplify it.

Happy Hunting!