LYPO SUCKS: DOES YOUR RESUME?

When it comes to reviewing resumes, the biggest irritant to headhunters and human resource managers is the overweight resume. They are text-bloated, well over the two-page weight limit. Immediately noticeable is the lack of preciseness. The resume resembles a person in tight, ill-fitting clothes with bulges that are easily seen. The author should be aware that their resume is out of shape, but why go through the pain to fix it? After all, it’s just a resume.

Here are three tips to help you cut out the flab. Tighten up your resume to reflect a person that has worked to present a trim resume physique.

1. TWO-PAGE WEIGHT LIMIT
This is absolutely the most important rule to remember when creating a dynamic resume. When I receive a resume over two pages, my guess is that the author is lazy or just unaware of the importance of a concise resume. A resume that engages the reader shouts the reasons to pick up the phone and call you for an interview. It takes many rewrites, proofreading and dedication to detail in order to reduce a resume its “fighting weight.”

2. FLEX MUSCLE
Does your resume endlessly list all your job duties? Let’s understand what it is on your resume that sells your background. Your listed accomplishments are the muscle definition that will lead to an interview! Job duties are unflattering added pounds, unless accompanied by results. The best method is to list accomplishments and job duties under each position. For example, list three duties and three accomplishments after each job title. Do not summarize your accomplishments at the top of your resume. When you summarize your accomplishments, the reader is unable to match the when and where to which job.

3. TRIM AS YOU UPDATE
As you build your career track record, you will add new jobs and companies. Your current company and title are the most important information. The present is where your recent accomplishments must stand out. Jobs over seven years ago need the content trimmed down substantially. Jobs over 10 years ago should be reduced to no more than three lines.

[QUICK TIP] RESUME FRAUD ABOUNDS
Resume fabrication is on the rise and companies are carefully checking the content. Be exact about what you list on your resume. A resume is your statement of facts, not a novel. The smallest misstatement can lead to disaster and your resume will be tossed. If I were writing a resume for my background, maybe I should post at the end of the resume, “My name is George Gurney and I approve this resume.”