Résumé Help: Highlighting the Education
Today’s candidate had quite a few issues with her résumé. However, the area that caught my attention was the fact that she mixed her Bachelor of Business Administration degree from the University of Texas in with several one-day workshops and seminars she attended. It is practically buried in the other content, so that when the recruiter or hiring manager gives it a ten-second scan, it likely won’t be noticed.
Also, she used an acronym for her degree and included on the same line as the category name, “Education,” and in the same font size. It is almost as if she is hiding this experience. This is not time in a federal penitentiary. This is a four-year degree from a prestigious university. So, spell out that degree so it takes more space on the page and gets noticed (Bachelor of Business Administration rather than BBA). Use a separate line for each category title. Use a larger and bold font for the category titles so it easily found when the reader scans to see if the candidate has a degree.
Lastly, Lily can skip the interests and hobbies section. This is not relevant and not appropriate on the résumé. The employer is interested in reading the skills, knowledge, and accomplishment that demonstrates the candidate can do the job. Whether the candidate enjoys woodworking is of no value.
The good news is that Lily can correct this very quickly! If you would like your résumé critiqued, please write us. In the meantime, here are a couple of blog entries that you may find helpful.
How Education Can Affect Your Personal Brand
Common Résumé Mistakes That You Must Avoid
To see additional résumé suggestions that will help you as you create your own résumé, please click on the image below.
If you would like a résumé critique, please contact Debra Wheatman at debra@careersdonewrite.com or visit us at http://careersdonewrite.com. The Résumé Help blog appears weekly on Mondays.
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