Tips, tricks, and take-aways for getting ahead.

When I worked in a college career center, I saw almost everything there is to see on résumés. My favorite “skill” of all time, was a student who posted “Donates blood on a regular basis—up to 15 pints.” While admirable, this kind of skill is best kept off the résumé. Lines on the résumé should be interesting and should highlight a unique skill that you are proficient in, or have had training in. Here are a few common phrases that detract from the résumé because they fail to s

One of the most common questions about the resume is "How many pages should I have?" The answer: It depends! There are so many factors that play a role in resume writing. Here are a few: If you're in your 20's one page will do. Chances are, you most likely don't have enough experience to justify a second page. Employers want to see relevant experience, so every job you've held since the newspaper route you had as a child isn't going to be applicable for the job you're applyin

Statement, that is. One of the most outdated pieces of information you can place on your resume is an objective. Objectives used to be the standard of a typical resume, but times change. Objective statements tend to read as all about what you want, rather than you can offer the employer. Here are some of the reasons you should object to the objective: Poorly Done: Often, potential candidates end up writing statements that are unfocused, vague, and self-serving. Poorly done ob

Clients always tell me, “I haven’t really looked at my resume since the last time I was applying for jobs.” The last time they applied for jobs is often years ago! One of the easiest ways to make sure that you are staying relevant in your career is to routinely revisit the resume, and set a goal to add one new line a month. Adding one new line a month could consist of: Accomplishments or contributions that you made on a new project; An award that you received; A new promotion

The most common mistake that individuals make when creating a resume is that they start with a template. Templates are difficult to update and are frequently boring to look at. How can you stand out among competitors for a job or for a position in school if your resume (your brand) is the same as everybody else's? Skip the template and go with a document that is completely you! #resume