What Movie Trailers Can Teach You About Writing a Resume - Part 2
Last week, we discussed some of the things movie trailers can teach us about writing a resume. In particular, we learned that a resume's main job is to make a hiring manager want to see the feature film (i.e. an interview with you).
Here are some simple and practical things you can do to create an enticing resume and boost your response rate:
Use a Black Font: It is not unusual to see people use blue, gray, or red fonts in their resumes. They generally do so because they think the unique colors will help them stand out from the crowd. In reality, however, they only make the resume harder to read. I recommend sticking to black fonts for easy readability.
Avoid Using a Small Font Size: In an effort to fit as much info as possible into their resumes, people often decrease the size of their font. This can make it tough to read. If you don’t want the hiring manager to have to squint to read your resume, use standard font sizing.
Keep Your Sentences Concise: A recruiter should be able to scan your resume in around 30 seconds. They won’t be able to do that if it is packed full of long, dense sentences. Try to keep the majority of your sentences below 15 words. I suggest using bullet points where possible.
Everything should be “skimmable” and go for clarity over jargon!
Ensure the Format Fits the Position: A bright, colorful resume may be appropriate for a job in marketing or graphic design. However, it might seem a little unprofessional if you’re applying for a role with a law firm.
Avoid Using Multiple Pages: Recruiters typically don’t want to read three-page resumes. They just don’t have the time. Try to keep all your info on a single page, if possible. If you absolutely must use multiple pages, make sure they are all numbered and in the correct order.
Tailor Your Content to the Position: The content of your resume should match the role you are applying for. A resume that highlights your public speaking skills is unlikely to land you an interview for a software development position.
Cut Out the References Section: Many people include a list of references or a “References available upon request” message in their resume. This section is rarely necessary. The hiring manager will generally ask you to provide references if they are interested in moving forward with your application. If you have a references section in your resume, consider cutting it out to make space for more relevant information.
Avoid Spelling Mistakes and Grammatical Errors: When I worked in recruiting, I received tons of resumes that were littered with typos, basic spelling mistakes, and punctuation errors. These resumes usually went to the bottom of my pile. Triple-check your resume for mistakes if you want to entice employers to give you a call!
Following these resume creation tips will help you get your foot in the door. From there, all that’s left to do is ace the interview and you’ll be well on your way to a new job!
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About The Author
Emily Sander is an ICF-certified leadership coach with more than 15 years of experience in the business world and the author of Hacking Executive Leadership. She’s been featured in several print publications, online articles, and podcasts, including CEO Today Magazine, Leading to Fulfillment, and Leadership Powered by Common Sense.
Emily has a passion for helping business leaders reach their full potential. Go here to read her story from seasoned executive to knowledgeable coach. If you want to send Emily a quick message, then visit her contact page here.