9 Key Points Recruiters Need On A Resume

Recruiters expect resumes to be composed using standard elements, but the format that is used for each resume is flexible. Whether a resume contains every detail about every aspect of a person's career, or whether emphasis is only made on relevant portions, either is acceptable.

Most resume readers agree though that resumes that are too long and involved are difficult to read. If a recruiter cannot scan a resume for salient points in 30 seconds, they may move it to the 'no' pile immediately, especially if they have hundreds to read. So experts agree to go lightly on the detail and highlight aspects of relevance only.

Here are the key elements that a recruiter will expect to see:

1. Heading: including your name, address, phone and email contact details. The easier it is for them to contact you, the more likely that they will. Be careful with your email address and ensure that it is not offensive or one that will create a bad impression of you, e.g. sexysue@... or beerboy@....

2. Objective: there is debate about whether your career objective should form part of the resume, or if its place is in your cover letter. But it is your opportunity to convey specific information about the type of position you are seeking. Be careful though not to be too narrow in your objective, as this could work against you. A broad objective could be "A position in food technology utilizing experience and interest in overall health and performance nutrition".

3. Education: here you will list with the most recent first, the institutions you attended and their locations. If you have studied abroad, include this as well. For tertiary education include degrees and dates, majors, honors, thesis titles. If your GPA is impressive, include that as well.

4. Awards and Honors: academic awards, honor society membeship, university medals, merit-based scholarships. If you have fewer than three of these, it is probably best to include them in the Education section rather than listing these separately.

5. Courses of relevance: if you have undertaken industry-related courses that are relevant to the position you seek, include these as well.

6. Experience: here you will list both paid and unpaid work (if you are new to the workforce). Part-time, full-time, casual, vacation jobs, internships, volunteer work. Wherever possible highlight factors in all of these that will be useful to the company concerned.

Item 6 is probably the most important section of the whole resume. Include the position you held, the organization's name and location, and the month and year that you were employed. Summarize your experience at each and use results-oriented descriptions to apply these accomplishments to the job you are seeking.

7. Skills: If you have particular skills that will be useful in your new position, and which the employer might otherwise have to pay to have you acquire, include these. This might include knowledge of another language, computer skills, research skills etc.

8. Activities and interests: these help the employer get a picture of the whole person, and your involvement in student or industry related associations and organizations should be listed. It usually best to avoid listing interests in extreme political activities or religious affiliations.

9. References: most recruiters will agree that listing your references on your resume is not necessary these days. If you make it to interview stage these can be made available, but by omitting the section altogether might raise a question in the reader's mind. It is best to have the heading and the words "Available on request".

There are some great techniques that are now being used to get resumes moved to the top of the 'interview' pile. These are used by people who have realized that their resume is really a 'sales letter'. They are selling themselves to the reader and know that they need to use key words and phrases in order to stand out from the crowd.

Jimmy Sweeney is perhaps the best resume and cover letter writer around today, and he agrees that using every tool available is the best way to get yourself noticed in this period of high unemployment.