Most job seekers spend countless hours trying to make sure their resume is the best it can be. Searching the internet or asking for advice is usually part of the resume development process and can become quite confusing. If you ask 100 people, you will get 100 different answers. And, if you search the internet, you will get thousands. According to a Career Advisory Board study, 85% of employers say they can’t find the right talent and 17% of hiring managers feel the talent they need for job are out there but they can’t find the right match.

Before you seek advice, you should pre-qualify the advisor.

* Resume development and job search techniques are progressive. Trends change and technology advances. When asking a family member, friend, or colleague to review your resume, start by asking when was the last time they put together a resume? They could still be using techniques from their college days or repeating bad advice that was given to them in 90s.

* Information posted on the internet stays forever. Is the online advice you’ve found based on old trends? What is the published date on the article? How experienced is the person who wrote it?

Be particularly wearing when listening to or reading advice about:

* Adding an objective statement. (The employer cares about finding viable candidates who have the skills and abilities for the posted job. An objective statement that doesn’t
communicate your uniqueness will not add value to your resume. Thousands of people can say “Seeking challenging role” or “Management professional seeking opportunity”.)
* The length of your resume. (Keep it simple. For most job seekers, a one- or two-page resume will do. Filling your document with fluff words and phrases to make your document longer won’t help you. On the flipside, neither will a barebones, Name, Contact Information, Employer/Title held document.)
* Why you should include the header “Resume”, “References Available Upon Request”, or non-related early career history. (Use the space to convey who you are and what you can do and keep your information focused on experience relative to your job target.)
* Why you should use fancy fonts, graphics/templates/tables, or flowery language. (Again, keep it simple. Use keywords that are directly related to your skills and abilities.
Avoid overused phrases such as excellent communication skills or team player. Templates make you look like everyone else. And, graphics and tables are only great on presentation resumes that are viewed on screen or printed. They don’t transfer well when uploading your document to online job boards — think hieroglyphics. Make sure you have all the versions needed for a comprehensive job search so you can network, upload, and use job boards if needed.)
* Using job boards as your sole search method. (Remember, large companies receive between 200 and 10,000 resumes each month with the majority coming from online applications for jobs they’ve posted. That is a lot of competition.)

When asking a friend or colleague to review, have them focus on the following:

* Does this resume convey who I am or could someone with the same job use it as their own? Does it go beyond my daily responsibilities and show my achievements and
the impact I’ve made on the organization?
* Does the resume repeat information or overuse the same verbs? It is easy to do. ABC Company: Managed people. XYZ Company: Managed employees. Have someone review your resume to ensure you have not repeated or overused the same verbs.
* Does the resume have misspelled or incorrect words? Spell check cannot identify Manger is really Manager, or to is really two. Perhaps you have spelled experience as expereince.

Asking for advice can be beneficial. Fresh eyes do catch errors that may otherwise be missed but, keep in mind, the more people you ask, the more opinions you will receive leading to
a high level of frustration.

Hiring a professional resume writer can help get you on the right track. Packaging employment history, skills, and abilities in the most up-to-date manner is paramount to your job search success and a writer who is certified and experienced can help you do just that. A certified professional resume writer can help you with formatting (font size, bolding, and enhancements), appropriate length for your industry and experience, and what information you should include and/or leave off of your document. Their years of experience can be of great benefit to you by helping you shorten your job search time!

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If you need help developing or polishing your resume,
Breakthrough Resume Writing Service is a virtual (online) business that offers assistance to people from around the globe. From the privacy of your own home, you can contact Tammy
at tammy@breakthroughresumes.com

About the Author:

Tammy Shoup, Executive Resume Writer and Career Strategist, is among a small number of professional résumé writers in the U.S. who has earned the title of
Certified Professional Résumé Writer from the Professional Association of Résumé Writers / Career Coaches.

Shoup is also a member of the National Résumé Writers’ Association and Career Directors International. Her activity in both organizations ensures that her knowledge of industry and
employment trends remains current. It also indicates her dedication to continuing education in her industry. Her work is published in both JIST and Barron’s career books.
Please review Shoup’s information at www.breakthroughrésumés.com or www.tammyshoup.com or inquire directly to Tammy Shoup at tammy@breakthroughresumes.com

Wishing you the best in your job search campaign! †