RESUME RESCUE!

By Amy Segelin

We often receive resumes and cover letters with mistakes -- many obvious ones that immediately make us pause, get out our red pens and question the caliber of the candidate. We recently received a thank-you note from a candidate who spelled his own name wrong in the subject line. This same candidate spelled the name of our client wrong three times in his cover letter. These mistakes can often negatively affect the chance for an interview.

Cover letters, resumes and thank-you notes are all tools that make up the first impression stage when trying to land an interview (and hopefully a job). Why not take the extra time and find an extra set of eyes to make sure everything you share is accurate, gives solid examples of who you are and what you offer, and reflects that you have put the time and effort into making sure your candidacy gets to the top of the list?

Does your resume include the elements that all hiring managers or human resources representatives need in order to contact you? Make sure you include a personal email address and a cell or home phone number. Many people include their professional contact information as well, but you might think twice before doing that. Do you want your possible new employer to think you feel that taking a call about a job opportunity at the office is ok, or using work email to correspond is acceptable? If you are employed, consider your current employer as well -- is there a chance someone could check your email?

For candidates who work from home, or are currently spending their hours job searching (because it is definitely a full time job) listing your number as “home office” is helpful. Also, it's best if your email address is similar to your name. Having an email like blueeyes17@gmail.com, while catchy, is not as professional as Johnsmith17@gmail.com. Save the funny email addresses for friends and personal use only.

Here are a few more simple tips that may move your resume to the top of the pile:

• Is your resume easy to open on any computer? Typically a Microsoft Word document or a PDF cause the fewest problems for most users. Send it to friends and family for a test run, and name the document with your own name, not resume2.doc, etc. Still faxing or mailing your resume? Be careful, in today's age, it is crucial to be comfortable with technology.
  
• Is your resume a manageable length? Sometimes a longer “CV” or an expanded list of accomplishments may be requested, but you are better off first sharing a simple resume that reflects where you have worked, the dates, your titles, your major responsibilities and a few accomplishments, and your education. The number one point on a recent list of winning strategies for finding and securing a job in today's economy was “updated, well-written, spot-on resumes that included results-oriented examples of competencies.” If an employer wants more information, they will ask for it, and if a job requires specific information, it will say so in the application process.
  
• Fine-tune your resume so it accurately reflects your experience. We can find almost anything out these days. Don't mislead by stating something that cannot be proven in a reference or credentials check. We have seen highly experienced candidates lose a job offer for misrepresenting their education credentials on their resume. Hiding aspects of your career that you would rather not exist usually comes back to haunt you, so get it out in the open and talk with trusted recruiters and peers in advance of interviewing to make sure you are explaining any questionable situations in the best light.
  
• Are you sending your resume because it's the right fit for the job you have identified, or are you hoping that the hiring manager or HR representative will take a chance on you because you are “unique”? If your dream company is hiring, but they don't seem to have your dream job open, be clear about your intentions. If your resume is not going to match the qualifications the company seeks, your cover letter needs to explain why you have applied to begin with.
  
• Stick to standard fonts such as Times and Arial that can be read on any computer and stay away from graphics, designs, and borders. You may think you're showing your creativity, but your work experience and accomplishments should speak for themselves. You might like the fancy floral design you added, but a hiring manager might not and could see it as a cover-up for lack of experience.
  
• Find an editor. In fact, find two. We have interviewed many candidates whose resumes are less then perfect before we sit down with them. As we begin to point out errors, people are often surprised (and embarrassed) by their mistakes but also admit to not having it reviewed. Better off safe than sorry!

There are many good resources you can turn to for resume help, and once you get started you will see that creating a usable, lasting document about yourself is easier than you think. For information on Chaloner Associates' full suite of editing and interview preparation services, please read about Resume Rescue.

About Chaloner Associates, Inc.

Chaloner Associates is a national, executive search firm specializing in communications, marketing, advertising, and interactive recruitment. With offices in Boston and New York, we work with corporate, agency, consulting and non-profit clients in all industries across the US and Canada. Our knowledgeable recruiters, team-based approach, and long-term client and candidate relationships distinguish Chaloner Associates as a leader in talent acquisition since 1979.