Knocking Down the Wall of Words
;)
Andrew sent me his resume for review. My first impulse was to knock down his “wall of words.” He has so many wonderful accomplishments, but they are buried within long narratives under each job. Additionally, he has used a tiny 10-point Arial font and very thin margins. It is tough on the eyes and only the most determined reader will get through Andrew’s entire resume.
This is very common. A candidate comes to us with a strong history of accomplishments, but their resume holds them back. Here are a few things that Andrew can do so his resume rises to the level of his accomplishments.
Enhance
The resume appearance is the first impression. A poorly-prepared resume signals that you have not given much thought to the reader’s needs. Aim for margins of .7” or greater all the way around (.8” is ideal if possible). Increase the white space between sections. The font would be more readable at 11 points. Beyond those simple changes, consider a more sophisticated look. Explore examples on our site to see modern resume styles.
Restructure
Sort your work history information separating major duties and scope of responsibilities from major achievements. Place the duties and responsibility overview in a paragraph format with no more than seven lines. Then follow the paragraph area with bullet points to showcase major accomplishments. Listing up to seven bullet points would be optimal. The new structure will be easier on the eyes and call attention to your strongest selling points.
Fortify
Andrew does not promote his accomplishments to the fullest. In other words, he needs to strengthen those statements to explain the results and quantify those results whenever possible. Including results shows that you are aware of the big picture and that you know how your actions impact your employer. Also, numbers make an accomplishment more real.
Those simple changes will make a big difference as Andrew searches for a job. If you would like to read more about resume writing, please check out these articles:
Resume Help: Asking Questions to Uncover Accomplishments