Resume Frequently Asked Questions
What is a resume?
Curriculum Vitae, abbreviated to resume, is translated from the ‘Course of one’s life’. ‘Resume’ literally means a summary of your technical skills. The term ‘CV’ is more commonly used in Australia and the UK, whereas ’resume’ is used in the US. In essence, a resume is a self-promotion tool and its sole purpose is to get you through to the next stage – the job interview. It’s not a biography, career obituary or diary.
How do I update my resume?
Read over your resume and remove anything that is no longer relevant. Make sure you include your most recent job history.
What is the most common mistake made in resumes?
Grammar and spelling mistakes are the kiss of death for any resume. They also distract the reader from the all-important content. These mistakes reflect badly on the individual submitting the resume, and indicate that they have poor attention to detail (not a desirable quality in an employee).
What resume format is the best?
There are several styles of resumes, all of which serve different purposes. They include the Functional, the Chronological, the Skills-based, the Targeted, and the Academic. Most employers prefer the Chronological resume, which lists your work history in backward chronological order, this allows the employer to see how you have progressed in your career. If you’re looking to change jobs then a Functional format which highlights your transferable skills may be the better option.
What if I don’t have a work history?
Usually everyone will have had work experience in some capacity. You may have helped one day a week at the local restaurant while you were at university, if this is the case, list this as a job – every little bit counts. This also demonstrates that you were able to juggle both study and work, demonstrating time management and the ability to work under pressure. If you have had no experience whatsoever, then go out and get some work experience. Ask a friend or relative whether their company have a work placement program but be prepared to do menial work for free. If you leave a good enough impression, you may even get a job offer!
How do I explain gaps in my work history?
Always attempt to define any absences in your work. Employers will always ask about gaps in your history, so it’s best to state clearly why you were unemployed. For example, Maternity Leave, Full Time Homemaker and Travel and/or Study are perfectly acceptable explanations.
What if I’ve had too many short-term jobs?
Employers want commitment from their employees, regardless if they are employing for a temporary or permanent position. They want to be assured that the person they’re hiring is going to give them their commitment. If you have had a lot of short-term jobs, try to group them together to give the impression of a more stable job history. For example, 2004-2005, Data Entry Clerk/ Receptionist; InterCorp, Heidi’s Donuts, Wolmart Pty Ltd.
How far should I go back in my job history?
It’s advisable to go back at least 5 years or 10 years maximum. However, if you’ve had some important work prior to this, you can always list it for relevancy.
What if I have worked for the one company all of my life?
List all the positions and responsibilities that you’ve had with this company, particularly if it shows career progression.
Should I list my interests and hobbies?
It’s not necessary but it’s always a good idea to show a bit of your personality. However don’t go overboard or list anything that may raise an eyebrow! Try to list hobbies and interests that relate to the job (for example if you are applying for a journalist position, you may want to list ‘reading’ or ‘creative writing’ as a hobby).
How many references should I include?
It’s advisable that you include at least two work related references and one character reference. If your work history is limited, then it’s acceptable to use teachers and academics because they have observed you in a work capacity at school/university.
What if I don’t want to include my current employer as a referee as I don’t want her/him to know I am looking for a job?
Don’t include your current employer if you don’t want them to be contacted. Make it very clear in your covering letter that your employer is not aware that you are job-hunting. As a good will gesture, advise the recruiter that you are happy for them to contact your current employer after you’ve been successful, just to confirm that you haven’t left the job on bad terms.
How should I present my resume?
A simple resume on standard A4 paper is fine. A lot of recruiters detest pretentious parchment paper, plastic sleeves and covers or over the top marketing strategies like printing your resume onto a brochure! Try to keep it to one page, two pages only if required.
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