Comments on: 6 most violated resume writing rules http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2005/09/12/5-most-violated-resume-writing-rules/ Advice at the intersection of work and life Sun, 08 Nov 2009 04:20:06 -0600 http://wordpress.org/?v=abc hourly 1 By: kay http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2005/09/12/5-most-violated-resume-writing-rules/comment-page-1/#comment-206589 kay Sun, 04 Oct 2009 06:46:01 +0000 http://lolindrath.dyndns.org/lolindrath/wordpress/2005/09/12/5-most-violated-resume-writing-rules/#comment-206589 I have redone my resume a million times over. I am at wits end.......can't seem to find a job in this Houston. Moving to PA, my hubby got a job there....seems they have jobs there........are there sites that can help in doing my resume for a fee.. I have redone my resume a million times over. I am at wits end…….can't seem to find a job in this Houston. Moving to PA, my hubby got a job there….seems they have jobs there……..are there sites that can help in doing my resume for a fee..

]]> By: UncleBaldric http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2005/09/12/5-most-violated-resume-writing-rules/comment-page-1/#comment-188946 UncleBaldric Tue, 14 Jul 2009 00:20:33 +0000 http://lolindrath.dyndns.org/lolindrath/wordpress/2005/09/12/5-most-violated-resume-writing-rules/#comment-188946 You obviously don't have colleagues like mine, whose documents and spreadsheets I get called on to fix almost every day... (On the other hand, if people list computer proficiencies on their resumes, I would tend to be sceptical without a proficiency test.) You obviously don't have colleagues like mine, whose documents and spreadsheets I get called on to fix almost every day…

(On the other hand, if people list computer proficiencies on their resumes, I would tend to be sceptical without a proficiency test.)

]]> By: The IT Girls Coach » 6 most violated resume writing rules http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2005/09/12/5-most-violated-resume-writing-rules/comment-page-1/#comment-188543 The IT Girls Coach » 6 most violated resume writing rules Mon, 06 Jul 2009 02:21:55 +0000 http://lolindrath.dyndns.org/lolindrath/wordpress/2005/09/12/5-most-violated-resume-writing-rules/#comment-188543 [...] Read full article [...] [...] Read full article [...]

]]> By: jay http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2005/09/12/5-most-violated-resume-writing-rules/comment-page-1/#comment-174509 jay Mon, 01 Dec 2008 18:16:24 +0000 http://lolindrath.dyndns.org/lolindrath/wordpress/2005/09/12/5-most-violated-resume-writing-rules/#comment-174509 Accomplishments for scanning by the human eye; a separate resume with duties for those machine scanners that have not yet evolved sufficiently to understand accomplishments. That initial 10 second skimming seldom gets beyond the middle of the first page. At that point a one or multi-page resume is irrelevant. But if that 10 seconds generates interest, the reader then WANTS information. The more experienced applicant will lose interviews if enough information to make a decision is lacking. Accomplishments for scanning by the human eye; a separate resume with duties for those machine scanners that have not yet evolved sufficiently to understand accomplishments.

That initial 10 second skimming seldom gets beyond the middle of the first page. At that point a one or multi-page resume is irrelevant. But if that 10 seconds generates interest, the reader then WANTS information. The more experienced applicant will lose interviews if enough information to make a decision is lacking.

]]> By: Ryan http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2005/09/12/5-most-violated-resume-writing-rules/comment-page-1/#comment-133506 Ryan Wed, 02 Jan 2008 16:52:28 +0000 http://lolindrath.dyndns.org/lolindrath/wordpress/2005/09/12/5-most-violated-resume-writing-rules/#comment-133506 As far as the one page resume I think this an important rule to follow if it is even a question in your mind. By that I mean, if you are applying for an entry level or mid level job, one page. If you need more than one page you will "know" you need more than one page. As far as the one page resume I think this an important rule to follow if it is even a question in your mind. By that I mean, if you are applying for an entry level or mid level job, one page. If you need more than one page you will "know" you need more than one page.

]]> By: Daniel http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2005/09/12/5-most-violated-resume-writing-rules/comment-page-1/#comment-96294 Daniel Wed, 27 Jun 2007 16:39:55 +0000 http://lolindrath.dyndns.org/lolindrath/wordpress/2005/09/12/5-most-violated-resume-writing-rules/#comment-96294 Penelope, What do you think about including an line in your resume for your "objective"? As in, "Objective: To make company xyz the leader in widget production worldwide"? My stepmother swears it's essential, but I think it's goofy. What do you think? * * * * * <em>Leave it off. Your objective is to leverage your skills and experience to get a job with the company you are applying to. If your objective is anything else you shouldn't be applying.</em> <em>Penelope</em> Penelope,

What do you think about including an line in your resume for your "objective"? As in, "Objective: To make company xyz the leader in widget production worldwide"? My stepmother swears it's essential, but I think it's goofy. What do you think?

* * * * *

Leave it off. Your objective is to leverage your skills and experience to get a job with the company you are applying to. If your objective is anything else you shouldn't be applying.

Penelope

]]> By: Peter http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2005/09/12/5-most-violated-resume-writing-rules/comment-page-1/#comment-69611 Peter Fri, 11 May 2007 11:53:12 +0000 http://lolindrath.dyndns.org/lolindrath/wordpress/2005/09/12/5-most-violated-resume-writing-rules/#comment-69611 I agree with everything except number one. There is no way a resume should be just one page long. I look for historical performance and job consistency. And to be honest, I am also looking for keywords (skills) and how long those keywords were in use. If I have to go to the 2nd or 3rd page to get those details - so be it. Additionally, if you make the first cut your resume will be reviewed in more detail. One page doesn't provide much detail. I agree with everything except number one. There is no way a resume should be just one page long. I look for historical performance and job consistency. And to be honest, I am also looking for keywords (skills) and how long those keywords were in use. If I have to go to the 2nd or 3rd page to get those details – so be it. Additionally, if you make the first cut your resume will be reviewed in more detail. One page doesn't provide much detail.

]]> By: veronica http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2005/09/12/5-most-violated-resume-writing-rules/comment-page-1/#comment-63953 veronica Fri, 27 Apr 2007 21:02:40 +0000 http://lolindrath.dyndns.org/lolindrath/wordpress/2005/09/12/5-most-violated-resume-writing-rules/#comment-63953 on Reverse Chronological Order: what's the problem with this? I've only ever seen resumes that start from the job you currently hold then work backwards from there. It makes sense for an employer to be able to see them in that order. Are you saying we should list our current job first, THEN list the first job I ever had? won't that look weird? <em>Thanks for pointing out the error. I fixed it. </em> on Reverse Chronological Order: what's the problem with this? I've only ever seen resumes that start from the job you currently hold then work backwards from there. It makes sense for an employer to be able to see them in that order. Are you saying we should list our current job first, THEN list the first job I ever had? won't that look weird?

Thanks for pointing out the error. I fixed it.

]]> By: Jobsearching Jill http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2005/09/12/5-most-violated-resume-writing-rules/comment-page-1/#comment-48903 Jobsearching Jill Tue, 27 Mar 2007 13:38:19 +0000 http://lolindrath.dyndns.org/lolindrath/wordpress/2005/09/12/5-most-violated-resume-writing-rules/#comment-48903 How do you feel about listing basic computer competence? I feel it is a waste of a line to put: proficient in MS Outlook, Powerpoint, Word, etc. I think you'd have a difficult time finding a professional today that lacks those abilities. <strong>* * * * * * *</strong> <I>Yes. Agree.</i> How do you feel about listing basic computer competence? I feel it is a waste of a line to put: proficient in MS Outlook, Powerpoint, Word, etc. I think you'd have a difficult time finding a professional today that lacks those abilities.

* * * * * * *

Yes. Agree.

]]> By: Recruiting Animal http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2005/09/12/5-most-violated-resume-writing-rules/comment-page-1/#comment-47832 Recruiting Animal Sun, 25 Mar 2007 01:40:36 +0000 http://lolindrath.dyndns.org/lolindrath/wordpress/2005/09/12/5-most-violated-resume-writing-rules/#comment-47832 2. "Ditch the line about references on request." Very good advice. But if someone is dumb enough to think I won't ask for references if they don't put that line in, there's little hope of them giving it up. I struggled -- struggled -- to get a friend to give it up without success. He consulted the VP in his company and that eminent personage (goofball) told him not to listen to me. 1. "One page." I don't agree. It depends on how much information you have to handle. Mind you, if you're in Gen Y, you won't have enough experience for two pages and then this advice would be fine. 4. "List achievements, not job duties." A lot of people who don't understand your job will be scanning your resume for duties they can match to the job specifications. I'm one of those people. So, duties then achievements is what I look for. 2. "Ditch the line about references on request."

Very good advice. But if someone is dumb enough to think I won't ask for references if they don't put that line in, there's little hope of them giving it up. I struggled — struggled — to get a friend to give it up without success. He consulted the VP in his company and that eminent personage (goofball) told him not to listen to me.

1. "One page." I don't agree. It depends on how much information you have to handle. Mind you, if you're in Gen Y, you won't have enough experience for two pages and then this advice would be fine.

4. "List achievements, not job duties." A lot of people who don't understand your job will be scanning your resume for duties they can match to the job specifications. I'm one of those people. So, duties then achievements is what I look for.

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