What to Include in a Resume

Dear Deb:

I read on LinkedIn an article that had some “no exceptions” advice about resume writing. The article reported that including an objective statement, a summary, and any type of highlights or areas of expertise is a bad move.   That seems to be contrary to a lot of other things that I have read. The writer is an executive at a technical training company. So, I am torn about what advice to follow…so I am turning to you.

Thanks for your help!

Amanda

Dear Amanda:

You’ll find a wide range of advice on the web. I would say that an executive at a technical training company would be an excellent resource when it comes to technical training. However, that exec is not likely to be your best resource for writing an effective resume or LinkedIn profile. For that advice, I

would turn to someone with five or more years of experience creating resumes to help clients achieve their goals. In particular, I would look to someone who is an authority. Signs of that include endorsements, awards and certifications. You should also speak to a resource to make sure the provider is a good match for you if you are going to hire a writer.

I agree with the executive regarding their objective statements. Those went out in the 1990s. However, a profile summary and an area of expertise section are valuable. The profile will place your entire resume into context. At once, the reader can see your top values and skills – showing how you meet the job requirements and enticing the reader to continue to see your accomplishments. Those sections offer a chance to include relevant key words. These key words are important for the human reader, as well as the computer screening software that identifies strong candidates based on search criteria.

Please write me if I can be of further help with the crafting of your new resume.

Thanks!

Debra