Resume Help... Top 10 Problems

The 'Top 10' Problems Requiring Resume Help

Everyone needs a little help now and then. That's especially true when it comes to resume help. As a former recruiter, I was witness to every conceivable problem that could befall a resume. Providing my clients with resume help meant dealing daily with lame objectives, lackluster writing, sorrowful design and more. Why so many problems so much of the time? Too many job seekers are simply unwilling to invest the time and energy to research current resume trends and best practices; resumes suffer as a result.

Because you're reading this article and demonstrating a willingness to invest said time, you've already got a leg up on much of the competition. So let's get started. Exactly what resume problems did I most frequently encounter during those ten years of writing resumes professionally?

Help With Resume Writing - The 10 Biggest Problems

1) Wrong Resume Format

Too often, I would receive resumes from clients who had hade a poor choice in choosing a format. For the record, the chronological resume is the most effective resume... when one's work history is stable,

Conversely, because skill sets and tailored accomplishments are emphasized over employment chronology, the functional resume has value especially for those who have gaps in their work history, or who have switched jobs frequently, or when current responsibilities don't relate to a desired job. The functional resume makes sense for someone looking to jump start a new career in a new field, or whose volunteer or non-work experience may be of more value to a prospective company than that demonstrated by a spotty or non-existent work record. But there is a caveat. A big one.

Read more about the Functional Format; whether it's right for you, and why you need to think twice before employing this format. And finally, consider a hybrid of the chronological and functional format. It might be the best solution for your situation.

2) Self-Centered Resume Objective

If your resume objective reads something like: "Seeking a responsible position with advancement opportunities..." you are dead to every hiring official in the free world. Replace it with a ‘heads up' that demonstrates your worth to the company. Something like: "Position as Sales Manager to advance a proven track record for identifying business opportunities and delivering bottom line results."

But wait, do you even need a resume objective? Maybe not. I often recommend opening with a powerful, 3-4 line profile or career summary, incorporating a few bullet points. But objectives are commonplace, useful, and they can be highly effective. If you're going to use one, learn how to write a good Resume Objective. And for those who are interested, I've detailed specific examples of both a Customer Service Resume Objective and a Sales Resume Objective.

A resume profile or summary is an overview of the qualifications that make you the perfect fit for the job in question. The resume summary is your advertising pitch to the reader, and your chance to hook that reader. It typically focuses on three to five skills or competencies that have been culled from the resume and represent the best arguments as to why you are a perfect match for the job in question. And hopefully, the reader will explore the balance of your resume with a predisposition that the qualifications for the job have already been met.

How important is a resume summary statement? Well, if your resume doesn't grab the reader, address his needs and pique his interest in reading further, all hope is lost. A well-crafted summary fits the bill. Find out how to write a Resume Summary, with or without an objective statement. And see real-world examples taken from my work with job-seeking clients.

4) Mundane Job Descriptions

Too many job seekers go into excruciating detail on job descriptions. If you're an administrative assistant, we don't need you to reiterate that you type, process data, answer the phones and operate the office machinery. All that is a given.

You do need to tell us the degree of your responsibility ("Provide support for a sales staff of 5 outside representatives and general sales manager"). And you do need to list any achievements of note ("Developed a Disaster Recovery Plan subsequently implement company-wide." "Wrote procedures manual." "Developed improved methods for reconciling inventory and warehouse lines.")

5) Lackluster Accomplishments

Every employer looking at your resume will be asking themselves one question: "What's in it for me?" Or put another way, "What can this candidate do that will make money, save money, save time, increase efficiencies, solve a particular problem, or otherwise make me look good for having hired him?"

Lame, lackluster or off-target accomplishments on a resume will guarantee the circular file. Filter all your resume accomplishments through the lens of the prospective company's needs before committing those accomplishments to paper. Here's more information on Resume Accomplishments – including help in identifying them, and expressing those accomplishments to the maximum benefit.

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