Red Flag Resume Warnings

The One Minute Rule 

 

My resume is GREAT as it is!  Better make sure!  Adding information that doesn’t apply to the job, skills not asked for won’t get your resume seen! All the fluff (special fonts, flowery long sentences on everything you have done etc…) won’t help either!  Your resume will only get approx. 1 min. read at most! If your resume doesn’t include the key information needed about the job or from the job description your resume will be going to the round file!  That’s the rule! 

 

Basic Resume Tips 

 

Make sure your resume is relevant for the jobs you’re applying for. Highlight only the accomplishments and skills that are relevant to the job in bullet points or summary statement. 

 

What’s The Degree? 

 

There are many companies that require a degree for particular job opportunity for example engineers, marketing, accounting etc… Sometime years of experience is also acceptable even for a management position. Sometimes, a degree requirement can make or break the review of your resume. After your name, city, state location I suggest that you list your degrees. You’re stating up front you are degreed! Acceptable or needed degree requirements are usually stated in a job description.   

 

Where’s The Resume? 

 

Keep a copy of your resume in some kind of file, computer or online. Make sure you can get to it.  A resume work sheet is a good idea. An updated resume with personal website, email, relevant online media profile. Update cell phone contact numbers if you have a new number. Add the new city and state if you have moved to your resume. 

 

Note, resume should not be “set in stone”.  It should be fluid enough to add and remove information that is relevant or not relevant to the job description or for the position you’re applying for. The resume should list the skills that are asked for from the job description. Don’t overread what the job description is asking for!  

 

Bullet points are important! Bullet points are helpful in giving job and skill information. Bullet points are direct and to the point information! Relevant information only!  No, dissertations required!   

 

Timing? 

 

Job opportunities come and go. If you wait too long, the opportunity can be gone! If there is an opportunity that’s great for you, jump on it!  It’s timing! Why wait a month or more to decide to apply for an opportunity? The longer you wait, the greater the chance the opportunity will be gone. You don’t know when they filled or pulled the job! Opportunity lost! 

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What’s The Goal? 

 

The goal is the interview! You want the interviewer to garner enough information about your skills and abilities to be interested from that 1 min. review to contact you!  A few successes should be added to the resume. Save the other gems regarding your successes for the interview!  Talking about your success helps the interviewer get to know you better! 

 

One, Two, Three- or Four-Page Resumes? 

 

Candidates with a short career history of 2-3 years, I suggest one – two pages resumes tops! Relevant information only!  

Candidates with 4-10 +years I suggest two - to three-page resumes. Relevant information only!  

 

 

VP, Directors, Management, Supervisor, Leads Resumes 

 

Management, Supervisor and Leads, - I suggest two pages to three pages resumes. 

VP or Directors – I suggest using the pages needed for the resumes. Additional relevant information could be added.  

 

Red Flag Warning!! 

 

Ok, you have reviewed the job description, reviewed your resume and made sure your resume is not a dissertation of 4+ pages. There is another red flag warning for remote or in-office employees! Are you a contractor, remote or in-office full-time employee? If you’re a contractor and only want contractor opportunities, don’t apply for full-time remote or in-office employees’ positions! If you’re a contractor and now want a remote or in-office full-time employee career, you should apply! State it on your resume. Companies don’t want to hire job hoppers! This question will be on a company’s mind! Companies don’t always ask if you want a full-time position. An assumption is made about you! Again, job hoppers should not apply unless asked to!  

 

Being inconsistent on the job (changing jobs every few months) is also a big red warning flag!  If you don’t have enough experience (at least 1-2 years) you may not be contacted. Most employers want someone with experience. There are many companies that are looking for new hires, with little experience or trainable employees. Those companies will state what they are looking for in the job description.