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Latest CanHELP Resumes & Letters Articles

How Job Seekers Can Avoid The Circular File Folder

posted on: 2013-01-18

Your resume is the first impression you give an employer. Here are a few quick tips that will keep your resume at the top of the pile and out of the dreaded circular file.

You Can’t Put A Price On Proofreading

If the only thing you’ve spelled correctly on your resume is your own name, it’s time to enlist some help. Even morseo if your name is all in lower case letters.

Spelling and punctuation errors are the number one reason resumes end up in the garbage. It looks sloppy and makes an employer think you are not serious about the position. If you don’t care about how your resume looks, how will you care about the job?

Once a prospective employer catches a spelling mistake they may not want to read any further. It will not matter if you have all of the proper qualifications and credentials if the recruiter disregards your resume before they get to the good part about you.

Ask a friend or relative to proofread your resume for you. Having a fresh pair of eyes will ensure they catch any errors you may have missed.

Don’t Be Cute

Hiring employees can be a costly endeavour for prospective employers. They don’t have the time or resources to ooh and ahh over your attempts to ‘stand out.’ Don’t be cute on your resume; your levity will not be appreciated. Coloured paper, cursive fonts or anything else that comes across as unprofessional will ensure your resume’s demise. If you believe you are an excellent candidate for the position you won’t need to pad your resume with bells and whistles.

Just The Facts Ma’am

Make certain your resume follows a timeline. List your most recent position first and continue backwards. If you’ve been out of work for some time, describe briefly what you’ve been doing while looking for work. List all the information you think is relevant to the position being applied for.

Try not to include too much personal information. No one is interested in knowing you won the spelling bee in fifth grade. Include activities as they relate to the position. If you’re auditioning for an entertainment spot on a cruise ship, you may mention you participated in summer stock last year. Honing your skills in your uncle’s bakery during the summer would also be relevant to finding a position as an assistant to the pastry chef of a kitchen.

Have A Cover Letter

A cover letter shows a prospective employer you know who you are addressing and for what position you’re applying. This is better than sending your resume out en masse.

Take some time to research the company and mention how their values and mandate align with your own. Don’t overdo it. A sentence or two will be enough to let the recruiter know you have done your homework. This also demonstrates thoughtfulness and professionalism on your part.

Having a resume speak for you is crucial prior to meeting a prospective employer. By following these simple steps, you will ensure your resume says the right things about you!

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