Written by Jamie Presley Resume Tips: Resume Horror Stories
Resume Tips: Resume Horror Stories
October 31, 2014
The Girl with Three Head Shots
A personal touch can go a long way in a resume. Being able to catch the eye of a potential employer or recruiter will speed up a job hunt significantly.
There are several ways to do this, but often candidates will take the easy route and just paste in their photo. Unless you are an actor or working in a field where appearance is valued equally to your experience and skills, do not slap your headshot on top of your resume. There are much better ways to get the attention of an employer or recruiter.
For example, list any awards, promotions, or high rankings you received throughout your past positions, rather than showing off your pearly whites.
A Man and His Dog
Candidates will often want to showcase their personal interests on their resumes, but sometimes do not know the best way to go about displaying them. If you have a passion for animals or are affiliated with a shelter, rescue program, or an animal relief organization, of course list that on your resume.
Instead of displaying a large photo of an animal on your resume, for instance, make a separate section at the bottom of your resume where you can list organizations that you are a member of or places where you volunteer.
Employers do like to see that a prospective employee is a passionate, caring individual who is involved in their community. However, displaying that information in a professional manner is key.
The Case of the Missing Resume
Your resume is more than just a list of jobs you have had, it is a place to show potential employers what you can offer their organization, how you stand out from the crowd. That being said, job seekers often go to extremes to make their profiles on various job sites stand out.
Writing a blurb about your stellar personality and creative abilities is a great way to show off what makes you different from everyone else, but it cannot replace your resume. If an employer wouldn’t hire a stranger off the street, they will not hire you solely based on your word.
Instead of foregoing a resume all together, include a personal profile of yourself in your resume. Here you can list career objectives, personality traits, and anything else that would put you in front of the pack.
I Know What You Did… every summer since you were 15
Accuracy in your work history is crucial during the job search process. Employers will check your dates of employment and will absolutely notice if there is an unexplained gap or a missing position from your resume.
This does not mean that you need to list every paying (or non-paying in some cases) job since high school. A good rule of thumb is to include any job history from the time you completed your highest level of education.
If you had an internship in college or a part time job in high school that relates to the position you are applying for, absolutely include it. But including every part time, after school, or babysitting job you’ve had in your life on your resume only clutters your resume and makes it more difficult for recruiters and employers to read your resume.
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