10 ways to be proud of your résumé

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10 ways to be proud of your résumé

February 11, 2013

If you’re in the midst of a job hunt, you might find that the very thought of writing your résumé sends you recoiling into darkness. Going to the dentist or watching paint dry sometimes seem to be more desirable options than re-writing your résumé for the umpteenth time. I’ve been there. I get it.

Could it be that you just don’t love your résumé anymore? Does it not inspire you? If you’re hunting for a job, you need to love your résumé, and in order to do that you first must be proud of it. Here’s how:

Avoid filler. What’s more important, stating another accomplishment relevant to the job, or providing insight into your personal life by listing a hobby or two?
Explain gaps in employment. Did you travel for a year or were you unexpectedly unemployed? That’s important. Make sure it’s explained in your résumé.
Don’t embellish. Keep it truthful. If you’re confident in your experiences and work history, there’s no need to give past titles or responsibilities any form of face lift. Own your experiences.
Stick to 1 to 2 pages max. Does your résumé fall under the “too much of a good thing” category? Employers don’t have the time or the desire to read a 5-page résumé. They may receive hundreds! Prioritize your work history and tailor each résumé to specific positions.
Don’t just describe past jobs. List your accomplishments, not simply your duties. What were you able to achieve at your previous jobs?
List dates… Include the month and year you started previous jobs, as well as the month and year you finished. This helps give an understanding of your employment trajectory and will help employers add up the years of experience that you claim to have.
…but don’t date yourself. If you are a post-secondary graduate, it‘s not necessary to list your high school credentials, unless specifically required. This could date you and reveal your age. You want to be assessed based on your skills and experience, not your age.
Showcase volunteer work. I once had a conversation with a career mentor. The first thing she did was flip to the volunteer work section of my résumé. For her, and many others, it’s a deciding factor in the hiring process.
Include select social media pages. Social media is much more prevalent in many occupations now than it was a year ago. Some jobs may require a strong social media presence. It’s good to showcase your online clout, but be sure to clean up your digital image so employers see only what you want them to see.
Keep your résumé clean. Don’t submit a résumé that is coloured, scented, or formatted poorly. Keep it simple with a legible font size and style.

Remember that your résumé is something that you should be proud of. You have to love your résumé. It could be the thing that sets you apart from the hundreds of other applicants vying for the job. Learn to love it. Be proud of it.

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Rob

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