How to Conduct A Thorough Resume Review
We’ve all been there. You’ve looked at your resume for so long that you can recite it from memory. But, when it comes time to hand it over to a recruiter or employer, you notice little mistakes and inconsistencies that you would never have noticed before.
But don’t worry! We’re going to walk through the process of conducting a thorough resume review with six easy steps. By following this checklist and making the necessary adjustments, you’ll be able to deliver the best possible version of yourself.
Prepare the Resume for Review
Before you can begin the review process, you must ensure that the resume and all of its materials are healthy and ready to go. This includes: Details should be easy to find on a neatly organized resume or work history section. File names, content, and other information should be consistent across documents (i.e., Don’t use an MS Word resume and a PDF version of your resume)
File names: The file name should be your name and “Resume” at the end of the file. This way, the file will appear as your name in any directory, regardless of its extension or type.
Consistency: Ensure that everything is consistent across all documents (file types, font type/size, logo placement, etc.) If you are using more than one document for your resume (i.e., a PDF and a Word), make sure to use the same font/size/logo in each file.
Attachments: Don’t forget about any additional attachments, such as application forms or letters of recommendation letters (if requested).
Other Information: Ensure all other required information is included on the resume itself or in an attachment, such as contact information and any other necessary details such as an address, email address, dates of employment, etc.
Eliminate Irrelevant Content
Every resume is different, but most often, they can contain irrelevant information such as:
Contact Information: Make sure contact information (address, phone number) is on the back of the resume rather than at the bottom or top of the front page.
Reference Information: Keep references to a minimum. You don’t necessarily need “References” on your resume, but it is best to list the people who have worked with you directly if there are any. (“References Available Upon Request” or “References upon Request”).
Work History: This information should be found at the top of the resume and should not contain unnecessary jargon or detail. Examples of unnecessary work history information include what position you held next to your name and the dates you employed. If your resume includes work history, the information should be directly tied to the job being applied for. Place each job title in sentence form and don’t contain unnecessary jargon or detail.
Personal Information: Personal information is taken off of your resume. Keep it off your resume and only include it on the cover letter if you ask for it.
Grammatical Errors: Although there are some grammatical errors that you may have come across that cannot be avoided, and there should be very few at all. If you have put something on your resume that seems unnecessary, feel free to remove it.
Thorough Resume Review: Highlight Relevant Content
Nothing should be deleted, and nothing should be added in an attempt to portray yourself in the best possible light. However, after removing all of the other unnecessary content, you can highlight what is relevant and what you would consider being your strongest points during a job interview.
Employers are looking for competent professionals interested in their jobs and willing to do anything it takes to get them. If you feel that something is relevant to your job qualifications, make sure that it is noted on your resume.
Review Other Details
After preparing your resume for review, review the information one last time and ensure that nothing is missing or incorrect. You’ll want to check the spelling of your name and address information (i.e., not “Name Address” or “New Name Address”). You’ll want to make sure that you have listed all of the contact information and other details as well (i.e., not “Name Address” or “New Name Address”).
Bring it All Together
Once all of your materials are in order, you’re going to want to add a cover letter and have it reviewed by the hiring manager or executive recruiter. Keep in mind that a cover letter is more than just another piece of paper – it is your chance to sell yourself.
If there’s anything you need to change or add, make sure to clarify any of the information with a note.
Make Sure Everything is Labeled
If there are any files or documents that you need to attach to your resume, you will want to label them clearly to get mixed in with everything else. Also, consider the formatting of your resume. Some resumes are more visually appealing than others, and you may want to make sure that everything is in a legible font size before attaching it to your resume.
If you are currently looking for a new job and find yourself between jobs, I hope this post helped explain the hiring process and what steps you should take to secure your next position. If you found this post helpful in any way, please feel free to share it on social media or within your network. Also, feel free to comment below with suggestions or questions you may have about the hiring process.
#1 Check Your Grammar
While spelling and grammar are often overlooked, a resume riddled with typos will effectively eliminate you from the race. Some commonly misused words include:
“data” vs. “that” vs. “they” – This one is particularly tricky, so here’s a tip! The word data should only refer to information that is generally uncountable and unspecific (i.e., how much data was used?).
