How to Have a Killer Resume Even When You’re Entry-Level - without Lying - Part Seven

Other Miscellaneous Tips

Think keywords.

We talked about it before, but I can’t say it enough. Find out what the buzz words and expected skill set is in your industry and get them on your resume. Sometimes you can work it in even if you don’t have those skills yet. It’s cheating a big to get HTML for dummies and then put beginner level in HTML on your resume when you’ve yet to crack the book, but if you’re in the process of learning, sincerely? Do it.

By the time you get the call you’ll have enough skill to say you’re learning, and if the interviewer finds you teachable, they might fill in the rest of the knowledge for free.

I got my first help desk job after building a small network in my house. We talked about that in the interview for about five minutes, and it was during this time window that I bonded with the lady I later found out that I’d be working for directly. All of this little stuff counts, often in a big way.

Think “look and feel”.

Stand out but don’t overdo it. According to Monster.com, you may also want to use a font other than Times New Roman.

I’d suggest using an off-white resume on any paper but laser printer. Cream colors seem to float to the top of the pile. Don’t ask me why, it’s probably shiny thing syndrome, and all humans have it. You don’t want to put it on fancy parchment, people who have to sort through paper, and potentially feed them into fax machines or printer/scanner combos don’t like it, especially if they cause problems by getting stuck.

But do get a slightly higher grade of paper that’s softer to the touch. Also, use paper clips, not staples. The first thing I had to do when I was an HR assistant was manually separate stapled resumes.

And when we were in a hurry we just threw them away to save time. Unfair and possibly counter-productive, yes. Did anyone care besides me? No.

Also, since you have to get paper clips, and you’re already using cream colored higher grade paper, spring the extra bit for the gold-look paper clips. It’s a nice touch and it makes you stand out. Anything that makes you stand out even a tiny bit is in your favor.

Keep It Simple for the Stupid

If you have a name that’s harder for people in the country you want to work in to pronounce, put an easy-to-say nickname on your resume. On the one hand, an interesting last name makes you stand out. On the other hand, it seems that no one wants to be the one to massacre someone’s name on the phone. That person who calls may not be the decision maker, but let me put it this way:

Before I worked in the not-to-be-named Human Resource company, they routinely “misfiled” resumes with names they couldn’t say.

I am dead serious.

And having a “difficult” name myself? I wasn’t pleased about it, but it’s a reality. Some of my fellow Yorubas adopt an English name or use their Christian name on their resume, and worry about correcting folks after they get the job. I suggest you do the same if it applies.

This counts for every aspect of your resume. If it’s not an industry term, take out the four syllable words and be frank. If they feel dumb reading your resume, you’re headed for that over-qualified trap. Only the smartest people want people smarter than them working for them.

Yes, that’s nutty, but think of all the jobs where you were unhappy and all bosses you ever had there, and tell me how many of them had jobs you couldn’t do with both hands tied behind your back and an eye poked out.

Think convenience.

Put in all the contact information that it’s professional for you to have.

Bring your resume with you to the interview. You’d be surprised how many interviewers either lose them, or purposely don’t bring them. And then somehow manage to pair your face/name with the wrong sheet of paper.

Think format.

There are several different types of resumes. Which is right for you depends on where you are in your career search.

Think balance. Don’t overshare or undershare. Be specific but succint.