What does your resume really say?
Dear Sam: Finally, after six years, I have completed my degree. I have worked since I was 15 years old, and my past positions have prepared me for a non-entry-level role. However, I have applied for positions for more than five months and have received only one response from a potential employer. Will you take a look at my resume and tell me what I’m doing wrong?
— Jessica
Dear Jessica: The problem with your resume is that you appear overqualified based on your content and formatting choices.
Your resume is cluttered and difficult to read. In fact, when I first opened it, I backed away from it, not knowing what to read first in the barrage of text, columns, bolding, underlining and the overly strong font choice. One would never assume you had only a few years of experience from looking at your two-page resume, so there is an immediate disconnect presented when reviewing your candidacy.
The key to resume and job-search success is to present the right qualifications to your target audience, all bundled in a well-written and nicely formatted package. Opening your resume with the statement that you have seven-plus years of experience — while true if you are adding your employment as a teen — immediately over-qualifies you for your target positions. You have only three years of corporate experience, so I would promote that while allowing your foundational experience in the customer-service arena to augment your qualifications.
Next, differentiate responsibilities from accomplishments. Currently, your resume is a sea of bullet points, with no indication of which ones are most impressive and convey the value you added to each position. Review these points, and make sure they communicate how the tasks you performed position you beyond a purely entry-level role.
Lastly, reformat your resume to create an attractive one-page document. I rarely suggest a one-page resume, but since your related experience spans just three years, you really should be able to accomplish a nice succinct one-page resume while still conveying the value of your candidacy. — Samantha Nolan is a certified professional resume writer and the owner of Ladybug Design, a full-service resume-writing firm. Email resume or job-search questions to dearsam@
arkansasonline.com. To find out more about Nolan, visit www.ladybug-design.com.