(resu)Mania

Friday is our annual fall Career Fair and, in preparation, the office is holding a 3-day series of drop-in resume critiques.  Today, our final day, was absolutely packed.  Except for a 5 minute cookie break (I truly deserved it), I plowed through the 4 hours alongside my hard-working co-workers. After 22 resume reviews my mind is truly dizzy from majors, double majors, and GPA's.    That being said, here are some helpful tips that I'd like to post at the front of the room next year:

• You can adjust your margins to fit your resume on one page
• Your resume must fit on one page
• You do not need an objective or the phrase "References available upon request" anywhere on your document
• You do not need to write "e-mail: xxx.xxx@gmail.com" - I know that's your e-mail
• You do not need to list every job, extra-curricular, and day of service you ever participated in
• Your experience section does not need to be restricted to paid opportunities and/or positions that included that rather vague title: Intern
• If you're a senior, take your high school off.  The same goes for any clubs or teams you did while in high school

Update Your Resume!

A resume is always a work in progress.  I encourage both students and adults to reflect on and update their resumes frequently, so that at a moment's notice it is "ready to  go."  Students will want to take some time in August, before the start of school, to make sure they've included their most recent summer work or internship, study abroad or travel experiences, and relevant coursework or course projects from the previous semester.  However, even seasoned professionals should give their resume a yearly once-over.  Have you read over your resume entries to make sure what you've highlighted accurately captures your most recent and most impressive accomplishments?  Have you added the new software or skills you've learned?  What about the latest professional association you've joined?  Don't wait until someone is waiting on you.  The best time to reflect on and update your resume is now, when you're not planning on using it anytime soon.