Resume Tips from Yahoo

Yahoo Hot Jobs – Recruiter Roundtable have some tips on the length of your resume. The tips are great. Here are three of their recommendations with my coaching tip:

1. Content is Key
It’s content, not size, that matters. More specifically, it’s the quality of the content in a resume — the information that immediately tells me why you’re the right person for the job — that matters.

 – Cheryl Ferguson, recruiter, The Recruiter’s Studio

Coach Tip: Use strong action words to describe your accomplishments. For example: "Developed process improvements to increase and improve team and department productivity."

2. Less is Still More
I think it’s always good to remember that a resume is not unlike a business card; it gives the recruiter and hiring manager information about you, but is by no means you. I give points for being succinct and for originality. After reflecting on some of the best resumes I’ve seen, I would recommend keeping to 700-1000 words. I also recommend keeping it to one page unless you are at the VP-or-above level. And in that case, less is still more. If you are at the exec level, only brief information is needed about your first few jobs.
– Ross Pasquale, owner, Monday Ventures

Coach Tip: Before I give my tip, let me say that I am not a recruiter. I am a career coach. I am an expert on interviewing skills. However, I do not believe that the average person can limit their resume to one page. I do believe that your resume must have impact and key words that will differentiate you from the competition. I believe that less can get you eliminated. Why? Because most people do have comprehensive resumes. I do recommend that you limit your resume to 2-3 pages if possible and I believe you should have a strong cover letter that highlights your skills, abilities, and accomplishments.

3. Summarize with Accuracy
I have seen resumes that have literally been 10 pages long. Recruiters and hiring managers simply do not have time to read resumes that long, regardless of experience. The best resumes I have seen are 2-3 pages long highlighting skills and accomplishments. Don’t get too wordy — we don’t want to read a novel, just a summary. And be accurate! If it is on your resume, recruiters and managers will ask you about it!
– Bob Hancock, senior corporate recruiter, Electronic Arts

Coach Tip:  "And be accurate! If it is on your resume, recruiters and managers will ask you about it!" This is critical when preparing for your interview. Integrity is your responsibility – throughout the hiring process. If it isn’t true don’t put it in your resume.

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