Business Diaries

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Resume Do’s and Don’ts

6–9 minutes

Did you know that employers spend an average of 6-7 seconds looking at your resume? 7

Of course, this largely depends on the employer. Some will scan more thoroughly. 7 But this is why its SUPER important to make sure yours stands out in the crowd.

“Your goal is to deliver an easily scannable document that allows employers to quickly see why you’re a good fit for the job.”

Indeed Editorial Team 8

Okay, so let’s talk about your skills.

There are soft skills, and there are hard skills. Each are important in different ways, and proving you have both types of skills shows employers that you possess a balance of technical and interpersonal abilities. 10

Soft skills

Soft skills are your personal attributes and describe how you interact with others and/or your overall approach to work. 4 While these are typically more related to your personality, they can be developed through practice and professional development.

Examples include adaptability, collaboration, critical thinking, empathy, organization, reliability, conflict resolution, time-management, scheduling, negotiation, strategic thinking, and teamwork.

Hard skills

Otherwise known as technical skills, hard skills describe what you know how to do. 4 These can be learned through education or professional development.

Examples include computer programming languages, data analysis, engineering, financial management, foreign languages, UX design, web development, Microsoft office, writing and editing, video editing, carpentry, auto body repair and vehicle inspections.

When it comes to deciding which skills to include on your resume, well, I have to be honest. It’s going to depend largely on what the job you’re applying for needs from their ideal employee.

For example, if you’re applying for a social media marketing job… the employer is probably going to be far less excited about your ability to shape and cut timber using power tools (carpentry) then they will be by your web development skills.

A good rule of thumb is to compare the job description to your past resume or, if you’re creating a new one, cross reference the job requirements with your own skills and experience. Sounds simple… but you might be surprised. Many people don’t do this.

In fact, it may even be frustrating to read, but you really should be tailoring your resume to each job you apply to. The only exception might be if you are applying to jobs within the same profession.

The bottom line is… employers are looking to hire employees who have the right mix of soft skills and hard skills.

Should I include every job I’ve held in the last 5-10 years?

I have actually Googled this question before. The answer is: Likely not.

Unless your resume is showing a pattern of advancements, include jobs that show you have the relevant skills and experience needed to perform the job you’re applying for. With that said, I do think it’s important to list out your 3 most recent jobs. However, there’s an art to this, and it’s called formatting.

Formatting

According to Indeed, resumes should be formatted either chronologically, functionally or a combination of both. 8

Chronological formatting

Chronological order arranges items or events following one after another in time. 5 You should use this format when your employment history shows a consistent, advancing career path. 8

A chronological resume format would typically include this information, in this order 8:

  1. Contact information
  2. Objective or summary statement
  3. Relevant skills
  4. Professional experience
  5. Education
  6. Additional information (i.e., volunteer work and special interests—optional)

Functional formatting

By definition, functional describes something that is practical and useful as opposed to just attractive. 1 In sociology, functionalism emphasizes the consensus and order that exist in society, focusing on social stability and shared public values. 3 In other words, a functional resume will highlight the relevant skills and work experience rather than just listing everything off chronologically. You should use this format if you have one long gap or multiple employment gaps in your resume or are changing career paths. 8

A functional resume format would typically include this information, in this order 8:

  1. Contact information
  2. Objective or summary statement
  3. Summary of relevant skills
  4. Work experience
  5. Education
  6. Additional information (i.e., volunteer work and special interests)

Combination formatting

A combination formatted resume combines the best features of chronological and functional resumes; allowing you to showcase your work experience and your relevant skills in a balanced way.

Why wouldn’t you always use a combination format, then? Because this one is really best if you’re just making a slight career change, or if you have a diverse employment history. 8

A combination resume typically consists of the following sections 8:

  1. Contact information
  2. Objective or summary statement
  3. Summary of most relevant skills
  4. Work experience
  5. Education

Remember, your goal is to provide the employer with a resume that can be easily scanned. If they can’t see the relevancy of your work history or skills immediately, they’ll likely move on.

An objective statement – do I need one?

I’m so glad you asked, reader! No, you don’t always need an objective or summary statement.

First of all, the purpose of an objective statement is to give a brief summary of your experience, skills, and goals. 6 However, it is not always necessary to include one on your resume. If you do decide to include one, be sure to keep it job focused. 9

“Your resume is a sales document. It is about what you can do for the employer, not what the employer can do for you.”

Marquette University 9

Ultimately, the decision to include an objective statement on your resume depends on the job you are applying for and your personal preference. In my own experience, I recommend including an objective statement on your resume if you’re changing career paths. The reason being is simple: It explains to the employer that while you may have been known for the last 5-10 years in one industry, here’s why you’re opting to get into a new industry.

Photos?! Should I add my headshot?!

Canva has tons of cute resume templates. But you’re trying to display yourself as a professional, right? Right. Now don’t get me wrong… sometimes the photo is a great choice. But again, like everything else in this post, tailor it to the job you’re applying for.

Adding a photo to your resume is not likely to make a hiring manager believe that you are the right person for the role. 6 Moreso, it may even distract the employer. 6

My advice? Include a link to your LinkedIn profile. This way, if they want to see what you look like, they can go to your profile.

So, there it is… I hope you found my advice advantageous! I’ll do another post dedicated to cover letters, but let me finish by telling you… I have landed a lot of job interviews by following these simple rules. And an interview is your first step toward a new job.

If you need a place to start or just looking for templates, check out LiveCareer, MyPerfectResume, or even Indeed. You can also do a simple Google search for resume templates specific to your job title or industry. Of course, it should go without saying… PLEASE. Don’t plagiarize. The templates and examples should only serve as a guide to you on what your focus points should be.

**Once again, I am not affiliated with any of these websites. I simply have used them in the past and want to share them as a resource to you as well.

References

1 – Cambridge Dictionary. (2023). Functional. Cambridge Dictionary. https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/functional#google_vignette

2 – Canva. (2023). Home. Canva. https://www.canva.com/

3 – Cassar, C. (2023, March 28). Functionalist Theory – A Guide to This Sociological Perspective. Anthropology Review. https://anthropologyreview.org/anthropology-explainers/sociological-perspective-functionalist/#:~:text=Functionalist%20theory%20is%20a%20key%20sociological%20perspective%20that,how%20they%20work%20together%20to%20maintain%20social%20order.

4 – Coursera Staff. (2023, December 1). Hard Skills vs. Soft Skills: What’s the Difference? Coursera. https://www.coursera.org/articles/hard-skills-vs-soft-skills

5 – Dictionary.com. (2023). Chronological order. Dictionary.com. https://www.dictionary.com/browse/chronological-order

6 Indeed Career Guide. (2022, June 24). Q&A: Should I Add A Picture To My Resume? Indeed. https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/resumes-cover-letters/resume-with-photograph

7 – Indeed Editorial Team. (2022, July 8). How Long Do Hiring Managers Look at a Resume? Indeed. https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/resumes-cover-letters/how-long-do-employers-look-at-resumes

8 – Indeed Editorial Team. (2023, August 31). Top Resume Formats: Tips and Examples of 3 Common Resumes. Indeed. https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/resumes-cover-letters/resume-format-guide-with-examples

9 – Marquette University. (n.d.). OBJECTIVE OR PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY. Marquette University. https://www.marquette.edu/business/career-center/undergrad/resume/Resume-Guide-Objective.pdf

10 – Pettersson, I. (2023, June 5). Hard Skills vs Soft Skills: Definitions and Lists of Examples (C. Benz, Ed.). Resume Genius. https://resumegenius.com/blog/resume-help/hard-skills-vs-soft-skills#:~:text=Your%20resume%20and%20cover%20letter%20need,balance%20of%20technical%20and%20interpersonal%20abilities.&text=Your%20resume%20and%20cover,technical%20and%20interpersonal%20abilities.&text=and%20cover%20letter%20need,balance%20of%20technical%20and

11 – Simpson, M. (2022, May 18). How To Write A Resume Objective Statement (Examples Included). The Interview Guys. https://theinterviewguys.com/objective-for-resume/

12 – The Muse Editors. (2023, February 3). 43 Best Resume Tips for Landing a Job in 2023. The Muse. https://www.themuse.com/advice/43-resume-tips-that-will-help-you-get-hired