Resume FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)

"Your resume has 10 Seconds to Get Their Attention..."

Frequently Asked Questions

Question 1 - What do you mean when you say that a resume only has 10 seconds to "Get Their Attention?"
This statistic refers to the fact that Hiring Managers and Recruiters often have hundreds of resumes to read and review and this many means they might only spend a few seconds to scan a resume to see if the candidate has the skills or experience needed for the job. If they don't quickly see relevant skills and experience, the resume is put aside. A properly written resume quickly catches attention because it is focused on the skills and experience they are seeking. Resumes are SCREENING DEVICES that are used to eliminate candidates that don't obviously have the relevant skills and experience.

Question 2 - I have resume templates in my word processing software, aren't those good enough for my resume?
No. Templates are basic, run-of-the-mill designs that may based on outdated resume styles. It's better to build your resume using a current format as a model. If you decide to write your own resume, use one of the formats we show in our sample resumes. Or, you might buy one or more of the helpful books listed on our resource page. Remember, a poor resume design isn't just boring, it can actually work against you and prevent you from getting an interview.

Question 3 - I've decided to have a service prepare my resume, aren't they all the same?
No, they're not the same. I've seen thousands of resumes over the years, some of which were prepared by "expert" resume services, and many of these were very poorly written or used outdated formats and styles. If you plan to hire a resume writer, I suggest you don't just offload the task, I suggest that you learn more about resumes so you can make an informed decision about who you trust to write yours.

Question 4 - Should a resume writer have some type of certification or should the belong to a professional organization?.
Not necessarily. Membership in professional organization or resume "certifications" don't guarantee results. If you want to be sure about the quality of a resume writer's work, you might ask for references or look at their client testimonials.

Question 5 - Isn't it true that resumes are all scanned these days and so style doesn't matter?
While resume scanning is common, not all employers use scanning devices or scanning software so you still need a "visual" version. Also, even a "scannable" resume should be properly designed to effectively highlight your your skills and experience so that it doesn't "disappear" in a resume database.

Question 6 - Hiring someone to write my resume seems expensive and I don't want to spend money because I'm out of work.
A well-written resume is an investment that can offer a high return on your money. For example, if you earn $30,000 per year, this averages to about $120 per day. If your resume shortens yor job search by 4 weeks, that shortened search is worth $2400 to you. Wouldn't it be worthwhile investing less than $100 in order to gain $2400? Now, you can certainly write your resume yourself but I wouldn't consider the cost of having your resume written by a professional as a major factor.

Question 7 - Where on my resume do I put my references?
Nowhere. You should never list your references on your resume. You should only provide the contact information for your references to potential employers who are seriously considering you as a candidate. This typically happens after you are in the interview process. This approach helps to protect your references from needless calls and contacts.

Question 8 - Should I add my vital statistics to my resume? (age, health, family informatin, marital status, etc.)
Not in the United States. While it's still customary to add these items to resumes in some countries, you never add this type of information to a resume in the Unites States. And, since we're on the subject of additional items, you should never use graphics or personal photos on a resmue unless, perhaps, you're a model or actor and your appearance is your primary asset.

Question 9 - Is it important on a resume to go into great detail about my experience? No, detail isn't required. Even if your resume makes the first "60-secont cut" this doesn't mean that it will be examined in detail. The purpose of a resume is to get you an interview and the interview is where you provide the necessarly details relating to your work experience.

Question 10 - I've been sending out resumes but I'm not getting any responses, what's happening?
It's difficult to say because there are many possibilities but the first thing you should check is your resume. You might be the perfect candidate for the job you're applying for but if you don't have an effective resume, you won't get a response because your doesn't have an impact.

Question 11 - Is there anything I should keep in mind when working on my own resume?
Yes. The main thing to keep in mind as you write your resume is the principle of W.I.I.F.M. This is an acronym for "What's In It For Me?" and this is the question that the person reading your resume has in mind as they read your resume. A resume needs be employer-focused so that it quickly tells them why they should interview you. So, remember to focus on them and their needs rather than your own. Remember that they aren't hiring you to fulfill your career dreams but rather to solve their problems.

Question 12 - Is there anything else that I should keep in mind when writing my resume?
Yes. In additioin to being employer focused, you should write your resume in a way that mirrors the job posting you're responding to. Since the person reading your resume is looking for a match between the skills and experience necessary for the job and the skills and experience they see on a resume, it's obvious that these need to match closely so that the reader can make the connection easily. If the person reading your resume isn't able to quickly see the match between you and the person they need to hire, your resume goes back into the pile or maybe into the trash.

Question 13 - What else might help my resume make the first cut?
It's important to have a resume with visual appeal. This means that the format and layout should be clean and attractive because a resume might be excluded because of a sloppy appearance or being "plain ol' ugly."