Recruitalicious

One page, two page, or *gasp* MORE?  Do I list an objective?  Education or Employment first? How closely do recruiters look at my resume?  What does it really say about me?  After all, it’s all about ME! 

In his recent blog post, “If you’ve got it, flaunt it”, Rich Dematteo addresses the topic of resume length and receives several interesting comments from his readers. I agree with Rich.  Brag about yourself.  Don’t be shy.  Get my attention!   Personally, length of a resume doesn’t matter to me, unless the content is garbage.  You have about 2 seconds to grasp a recruiter’s attention with your resume.  Recruiters are people.  Yeah, I know sometimes we’re called a few other things that are not appropriate to discuss at this time.  But, as many options as there are for resume formats, there are even more recruiters’ opinions.  But I’ve got one, and I like to share. 

Hints:

• Use spell check.  I’m not an English major, but probably should’ve been.  That aside, with all the technology available, most programs do it for you and can check your grammar, too.  If you can’t even spell or abbreviate your job title correctly, you’re out.  Do not pass go, do not collect a paycheck.  I’m serious.  Ask anyone that’s looked at a resume or application for an Assistant Manager.  Really!?!
• No experience? List your education loud and proud and include any activities you’ve been involved in.
• Lacking the formal degree?  Tell me about your great experience and save your high school diploma for the end.
• Balance the page so that it’s pleasing to my eye.  Don’t use 8pt font and expand your margins to nothing just to put it on one page.  Conversely, don’t use 16pt font to make your resume two pages long because someone told you .   

What matters to this recruiter is that the information is logical, easy to follow and pertinent.  So, if you need two pages to share 20 years of experience, by all means, please do so.  I’ll be reading it.  Be warned though, if it’s a formatting nightmare, my attention span just decreased and I’m moving on to someone else. 

What about your thoughts?  Have you helped someone fluff a resume to make it longer, chopped it to bits to make it a “desirable” one pager?  What do you prefer and why?