8 Most Pressing Resume Writing Questions Answered!
We address 8 commonly asked resume writing questions
Q: Can resumes be colourful and designed (i.e. not just black on white paper)? It seems we’ve always been told that they must be simple and black ink on white paper, but there are various beautiful templates and designs
available now.
A: Typically, resumes should not be colourful or designed. It is a professional document, so it should be treated as such — no fancy colours, fonts, or stationary are necessary. Simple, (black ink on white paper) is the safest way to go. The font should be easy to read or scan in print or on an electronic device of any screen size. I recommend a Sans Serif font such as Calibri, Tahoma, or Verdana.
The content of your resume is what’s most important to the reader. So, the focus should be more on succinctly sharing how your skills and achievements align with the employer’s need; not on using the most elegant font or pretty resume stationary. When printing your resume, it’s acceptable to use an off-white color, but don’t deviate too far. You can also use a slightly heavier stock (the interviewer will notice the difference, and it’ll show you took that extra step to stand out).
There are, however, professions where a colorful, designed resume may be acceptable, such as UI/UX Designer or Graphic Designer. So, check with local professionals in your area to see what would be best.
Q. Should I include my picture and date of birth?
A. It depends on where you reside. In the United States, for example, personal information other than your name, street, email address, and phone number are typically not included. One good reason is discrimination in the hiring process. It’s wrong and it’s illegal, but it exists. So, to help avoid, as much as possible, any rejection based on your age, race, gender, etc., exclude additional personal information. On the other hand, there are countries where it is common practice to include such information. Check with professionals in your local area for best practices.
Q. How should the format of my resume look?
A. The format preferred by most employers is reverse chronological, with your most recent experience listed first. This format makes it easy to see where and when you used your soft and hard skills to achieve results. The functional resume format shows your skills, but the reader typically has no idea where you used them.
Q. Do I still need a hardcopy resume if I have a LinkedIn profile?
A. Yes. Your LinkedIn profile doesn’t replace your hardcopy resume. In fact, it should complement your resume.
If a recruiter reaches out to you on LinkedIn and schedules an interview, they will likely ask you to send your resume via email or bring it with you to the interview. So, either way, it’s good to have a hardcopy resume ready. It’s also good to bring several copies with you in case there are multiple interviewers and each requests
a copy for reference.
Keep in mind that the core information — titles, positions, employers, duties and responsibilities, and achievements — should be the same in both formats. Any discrepancies will raise questions and jeopardise your chance of being called for an interview. So, ensure that what a recruiter sees in your LinkedIn profile is the
same in your resume.
Q. If you’re working in a specific industry related to design or visual arts, such as web development, how do you showcase your portfolio on the resume?
A. I think the best way to showcase your portfolio is by including a link to your work. Professionals in design fields commonly include links in their resume, either in the contact information section or somewhere else more appropriate (in a “Projects” section, for example). So, whether you have a project in your github profile or a website that presents examples of your work, one of the easiest ways for a recruiter or employer to see your design expertise is by clicking a link.
Q. When do you use first person versus third person in a resume (i.e. “I completed a study” versus “Jermaine completed a study”)?
A. All the time. I would never suggest using third person in a resume. Ever. Your resume is your opportunity to briefly present how you are a match for the position. You are telling your career story to an employer, so it should be written as if it’s coming from you. Plus, it’s customary — at least, here in the United States — to draft resumes in first person.
Q. How many pages is too long (i.e. is it limited to two sides of paper)?
A. This is probably the most commonly asked question about resumes. Ideally, a one-page resume is best (I’ve heard of employers who won’t read a resume longer than one page), and for years this was an unwritten rule. One page is less for a recruiter or employer to read, especially since they may have to sort through hundreds of resumes. Plus, a one-page resume forces candidates to maximise the limited resume real estate to only include relevant information.
However, a one-page resume is not always the most practical option for the candidate. For example, this applies to a candidate who has a very detailed work history, which may require more than a page. There are also certain professions for which a multi-page resume is accepted, such as health care, education, and IT.
So, it depends on the candidate’s particular situation.
In general, a resume should not exceed two pages. As mentioned above, one page is ideal, but a two-page resume is fairly common, especially for candidates who have been in the workforce for many years. The idea is to maximise the space available to convey why you are perfectly suited for the position. If that can be
accomplished in one page, then that’s fine. However, if you need additional space to convey that message, then feel free to use it.
Q. Once you’ve completed a resume, how do you get it in front of the right people?
A. Aside from posting your resume on job boards (such as Indeed, Career Builder, Zip Recruiter, and Monster), here are three other ways to get the right eyes on your resume:
№1 Referral: Who do you know that works for a company you’d like to work for? Reach out to that person and express your interest in working there and reference the available position. If they know the hiring manager, they can forward your resume to them — bypassing the ATS, recruiters, and HR personnel. If they know
someone in HR or another department, your resume can be forwarded to them and eventually end up in the inbox of the hiring manager.
№2 Networking: This is one of the best ways to find your next gig. These days, it’s really about who you know. Think of people in your professional and personal networks who either know of opportunities or can connect you to those who know of opportunities. Reach out to them and let them know your situation. Send them
your resume, if necessary.
Sometimes, one good connection is all that stands between you and an offer letter.
№3 Direct Approach: If you know of an opportunity at a company, and you can find one of their recruiters, reach out to them directly. Contact them through email or LinkedIn and express your interest in one of their positions. Briefly tell them why you think you’re a good match for the position and how you’d be an asset to their team. If you can make a recruiter’s life easier by contacting them first — instead of them hunting for you — that’ll expedite the process and bring you one step closer to an interview.
