Your resume summarizes your career. What else does it say about you?

Resumes are highly individualized documents that share the highlights of your professional career to date. They should be brief and concise, be a chronological account of your different roles, and be written in your voice.
 
I see a lot of resumes given what I do. And I love reading each and every one, as every person is different and tells their story in their own way. Sometimes, sadly, they say “I’m not a good candidate”.
 
They are not necessarily easy documents to write. But, there are some common mistakes I see all the time which I feel can be easily rectified with minimal effort.
 
What should your resume actually say?
 
Your resume should say only the following:

• Your name and personal information you feel comfortable sharing (email and phone number are standard).
• A brief summary of who you are as a professional and what you’re looking for. Very good resumes have 2-3 sentences that tells the reader who you are, what your experience is, and what you’re looking for. Don’t underestimate its impact, so take the time to get this important introductory piece just right.
• Your education and relevant qualifications.
• A brief chronological account of your roles, including duration (years and months), and what your general remit was in each role.
• Any internships or prior work experience.
• Any personal or professional associations, volunteer work, or hobbies you wish to share.

 
Triple-check. You might be surprised to hear that most resumes I read contain some sort of error. Many people have looked at it 20 times and are unable to see the mistakes. When I can point these out prior to representing you to a firm, it is fine, as you get a chance to fix them. But when you’re submitting your resume directly to a firm, they notice this and will likely not move forward because of a perceived lack of attention to detail. My advice: read your resume out loud, or, read it while pretending that you’re reading someone else’s document with the intention of looking for errors.
 
Style versus substance. If you’re going to seek feedback on your resume, ask only for their substantive comments. Its really important your style and voice stays in the document. And many people make the mistake of correcting on style only (because substance involves a higher knowledge base).
 
Brevity. Be brief and concise. A resume is not a place to list everything and hope something resonates. It is a summarized version of your professional self that is tailored exactly to the role you are applying for. (The interview is the place to elaborate and hand pick great stories to show your experience.)
 
FAQ’s:
 

• Should I use a resume writing professional? If your writing ability is not crucial to your role, and its impacting your applications, then consider it. But, generally speaking, as a marketer or business developer, you are likely already a natural communicator. And my view is that using a resume writer can dilute your voice. It is important to have your authenticity and style in your resume. After all, that’s how you will naturally write in your new role, and employers like to see this.
• I’ve heard a resume shouldn’t be longer than one page. There are no hard and fast rules about length. But, remember whoever is reading your resume for the first time is likely skimming it, and one page is easier than three pages. (And this is where the executive summary comes into great use for the busy resume readers.)
• I’ve asked 5 different people for feedback on my resume, and I’ve got 5 different answers… Resumes are highly personalized, subjective documents and everyone will have a different opinion as a result. Simply ask 1-2 people that you know and trust their judgment. And, make sure at least one of them is someone who challenges you, not just someone who will agree with what you’ve written.
• Do I put hobbies or personals interests in my resume? Not mandatory, but recommended. You are a unique person with hobbies or interests that may provide an interesting talking point during an interview. At work, people see your professional and personal self, so begin early by showing both of these sides. And sometimes there are hobbies which show particular determination or an initiative that can impresses the reader more than you might think.
• I’ve used different colors, fonts and images to stand out. What do you think? I think professional services firms – particularly law and accounting – like a very conservative resume. They don’t like a lot of different things going on in the document. Even if you’re a creative type, if you’re applying for a role in a law or accounting firm, keep it simple, plain and factual.
• I got laid off and don’t know how to deal with this gap in my resume. Many people have at least one gap in their working life. Acknowledge it and move on. If you don’t acknowledge it, it creates a negative perception as to why you didn’t. And don’t fudge the dates to try to cover this up; honestly is always the best policy.
• I worked in a different sector and have left that off this version of my resume because it just doesn’t relate to the role I’m now applying for. In most situations, my advice here is to keep all of your professional experience in your resume. Sub-headings are really useful when differentiating different careers or sectors. Acknowledge your prior work and highlight transferable skills. I can always tell when someone has had a ‘life before their current role’. And often there’s something they have learned that is relevant to their new career. It all adds up, and it all makes you into the professional you are today.