Clean Up That Resume

Typically it’s best to purge your resume of the unnecessary things to make room for items that will better show the type of work you can offer. That can be easier said than done when you’re receiving so many conflicting messages about what to keep and what not to keep. Rachel Weingarten offers her take on the dos and don’ts of resume building, particularly what to subtract, in her article 6 Keys to Declutter You Resume Right Now. Here are some of our favorite points:

• Hobbies: Weingarten says that unless the hobby is very relevant to the job you’re applying for, it should be left off the resume. We definitely agree. Hobbies don’t really have a place on your resume about 98% of the time, and they take up valuable space.
• Achievements: As Weingarten says, don’t save the best for last! Highlight your successes on your resume, particularly if they’re pertinent to the job you’re applying for. Your resume is a snapshot of what you bring to the table, so why not put your biggest strengths at the forefront?
• References: This one may seem obvious, but provide the references you know will represent you the best. That being said, the more recent the supervisor, the better. It may concern potential employers if all of your references are from years ago, and may make them wonder about your most recent supervisor.

Opinions on resumes may vary, but we thin Weingarten hit the nail on the head in her article. Keep your resume short (1 page in most circumstances), highlight your best features, and provide references that will highlight your achievements best.

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