· If you just cannot overcome the sinister “myth of the one page resume”, consider using a supplemental information page. Should you choose this style, only education and work related experiences would appear on your resume. All other information, such as activities, honors, community service, etc. would be listed on the supplemental information page. Voila! Your problems are solved: you've got a one-page resume, but you have not eliminated important information that may help you get the job.

· Only list tangible/objective information on your resume. In other words, nothing but the facts and only the facts. Avoid listing things such as: effective communicator, good team player, able to work well with others, etc. Comments of this nature are subjective. Meaning, they are judgments that people make about you, not something you can say about yourself. You may think you are a great team player, but the other members of the team may have a different opinion. Comments such as this may be appropriate in a cover letter, but only if you provide specific examples of accomplishments or experiences to back them up.

· Be sure to include very specific contact information. Many graduating seniors miss outstanding job opportunities, because they are no longer at the address listed on their resume after graduation and the employer has no way to contact them. List both local and some sort of permanent contact information. If you are not sure where you will be living after graduation, include your parents' address or the address of some other family member. E-mail addresses help to eliminate this problem, as they will follow you no matter where you live. So, if you have one, list it, keep it and check it regularly.

· You should view your resume as a “work in progress” and update it regularly. We all grow, learn and have numerous experiences everyday and your resume should grow with you. Think of it as a log where you can keep track of all of your important career and life related experiences. As soon as some important event or experience that warrants entry into your resume occurs, add it, so you don't forget. You'll be surprised how quickly they add up.

· Try a variety of styles and formats. Perhaps, you'll choose to have several different resumes, so that you can select the one that is most appropriate for the type of position for which you are applying. This includes an electronic version. Currently, a substantial number of companies are using technology related tools, e.g. resume scanning hardware and software, to evaluate prospective personnel and select candidates for interviews. While the technology for such hardware and software has come a long way in terms of compatible resume formats and style, it is still better to be safe than sorry.

Following are, therefore, some guidelines for preparing electronic resumes:

•  Stick to a very common font on your resume and cover letter.

•  Don't use a tiny point size. Keep your point size between 10 and fourteen.

•  Don't use anything but plain white or ivory paper. Scanners have a difficult time with grays, mauve, and other colors.

•  Don't use borders because border characters often appear as garbage when an OCR scanner converts them to ASCII.

•  Send your resume in a nine by 12 inch envelope, and don't fold it. Scanners have problems with creases in the paper.

•  Your name must appear first on a resume.

•  Begin with a list of keywords -- title it Summary.

•  Make a list of words and terminology that are used by the companies you're interested in applying to (these can be gleaned from help wanted ads and other sources).

Electronic resume software programs often do not search for vague phrases such as “communication skills,” or even active verbs. Instead, they search for job titles,

 

The above is an excerpt from The Last Job Search Guide You'll Ever Need: How to Find and Get the Job or Internship of Your Dreams, which is available for sale for $19.85 in our bookstore or $27.00 at Amazon.com but for free to those who subscriber to our free career newsletter. This hot new book contains job search secrets of the most experienced, most knowledgeable and most respected career experts. Learn career planning, job hunting tools and tactics, interviewing, cover letter and resume writing (lots of samples!), networking, and how to find an internship. Written by 149 career experts. To receive a free copy, subscribe to our free career newsletter.

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