Resume Basics: What NOT To Do
Any recruiter looks at dozens of resumes on a daily basis. That being said, there are always some that stand out, and not always for the right reasons.
Your resume is a piece of paper that, quite literally, tells the story of you as an employee. If should paint a picture of what you’re good at, the type of employee you are, and why you would be good for whatever job you’re presenting it for. For all of these reasons and more, it should be as close to perfection as possible.
Every recruiter and business is different, but there are a few examples that usually result in an automatic “no” for just about any place you go. In her article, Lily Herman highlights a few. We’ve listed our favorites below:
- It’s REALLY long: Unless you’re a seasoned professional with more than 15 years of experience, your resume really shouldn’t be more than a page long. Up to two pages is acceptable, but any more than that is too much. Each version of your resume should be tailored to the job you’re applying for, so keep this in mind when you’re trying to parse it down. Remove things that aren’t totally relevant to the job.
- All the effort is in the styling: A resume with four different fonts, font sizes, headers, images, etc. doesn’t send the right message. It says to the recruiter that you put more effort into how the resume looks, than what’s actually on it. Using multiple fonts is a big no, and is almost never appropriate.
- It doesn’t tell your story: Think of your resume like story called Why I Would Be Good At This Job. If the resume isn’t telling that story, then there is something fundamentally wrong.
Recent Posts
Lighting The Way In Your Professional Environment
Welcome back! We hope you had a wonderful long weekend. After that extra day of rest, we’re re-charged and ready to provide you with our latest round of tips and tricks for personal and professional success. In honor of Presidents’ Day (as well as the spring that is...
Learning About Black History Boston’s Landscape
Happy Friday! Today we’re closing out the week by looking at even more ways to honor Black History Month, focusing especially at the local level. History exists beyond the pages of textbooks; while “history” may concern things that happened in the past, it’s necessary...
Supporting Black-Owned Small Businesses in Boston
In continuing our special focus on honoring Black History Month, today we’re turning to the City of Boston’s Office of Economic Development’s list of more than 500 Black and Brown-owned businesses throughout Boston. List includes everything from restaurants to...
Drawing Insights From Local Arts and Culture
While our blog typically focuses on tips and tricks for professional success, we know that you have a life outside of your workplace. Which is why today we’re encouraging you to establish a work-life balance in the here and now that honors Black History Month. Below...
Honoring Black History Month
Welcome back! It’s February, and that means that it’s Black History Month. We firmly believe that diversity strengthens the capacities of organizations, as differences of attributes and experiences broaden knowledge bases across workplace communities. This week our...
Feel Good Friday: Cozy
Happy Friday! We’re finishing off the week with one final look at ways to adopt a mental framework that ensures you’re experiencing a maximum sense of comfort with yourself in your workplace and beyond. Being confident in yourself and your abilities is a surefire way...
Finding Your Fit In A New Professional Environment
Today, as part of this week’s focus on feeling cozy no matter your surroundings, we’re focusing on feeling comfortable as a new employee in any professional environment—though you can also apply these tips even if you’re remaining in the same company while taking on a...
Wednesday Wellness: Cozy
Welcome to the week’s midpoint! Today we’re considering “cozy” in terms of being comfortable with yourself. This will allow you to build up your confidence, which will enhance your workplace performance and enable you to feel equipped in seeking to make strides...
Achieving Workplace Comfort For Yourself And Others
Today we’re considering being cozy in your workplace in terms of not just adjusting and settling in but as maintaining a safe, comfortable environment for both yourself and others. Establishing appropriate professional boundaries is a key step in that process. This...
Monday Mood Booster: Cozy
Welcome back! With this week’s snowy forecast, winter is definitely here. These are days to focus on getting comfortable—though not complacent. And we’re talking about cozy not just within the context of fireplaces and warm beverages, but also with regards to getting...
Feel Good Friday: Compassion
Happy Friday! As the week comes to a close, make sure you’re treating yourself with compassion in acknowledging and celebrating the fact that you’ve made it all the way to today. You’ve overcome all the challenges life has thrown at you this week, and in the days and...
Compassionate Self-Care In Any Context
Continuing this week’s focus on practicing self-compassion by addressing mental health concerns that arise in the workplace (and/or beyond, especially if you are someone who our present, unprecedented circumstances have caused to be out of work at present), today...
Practicing Compassion in Your Workplace and Beyond
These unprecedented times offer up unique challenges, no matter whether you’re working from home, in-person, or in between jobs--and each of those circumstances then produce their own obstacles. Amidst whatever situation you find yourself in, a necessary component of...
Monday Mood Booster: Compassion
Welcome back! This week our focus is on compassion. We encourage you to both practice self-compassion as well as engaging in an empathetic approach towards others. We know that even though the days are getting brighter for longer, it can still be a struggle to...