(Toledo News Now) - With hiring on the increase in recent
months, many of us are dusting off the old resume again. Unfortunately, in too
many cases, "old" is exactly what it is.
Looking for a new job?
Farewell to Paper
We all remember the beautifully printed resume, with neat
little paragraphs on heavy bond paper.
But in this iPad age, you may want to tear up that old
job-hunting advice.
US News and World Report says today's resumes should be sent
electronically, as an attached file to an email. It says paper resumes are now
a "nuisance" to many hiring managers.
Top Resume Mistakes
Other tips, according to US News:
-Don't list an objective at the top. Objectives can hurt
your chances these days because they pigeonhole you into one specific job. You
must appear flexible.
-You should list nothing more than 15 years old, or it will
make you look old. Even if you were a team member on the Space Shuttle group in
1982, it no longer helps you, unless you are applying for a job in an
aeronautical museum.
-Skip the "references upon request" line: That is
so 1950s.
Doesn't That Stink?
But from the "doesn't that stink?" file, comes the
downside of today's electronic resumes.
You no longer have the chance to impress with a long cover
letter. Now that it's 2012, most prescreening is done by computers, which may
leave you saying, "doesn't that stink?"
So skip the flowery letter, and focus on words like
"skill sets" and "experience," that will catch the computer
program's attention.
You need to appear to be up to date on the latest
technology, especially if you are over the age of 45. That means having a
current LinkedIn profile, a professional looking Facebook page, and an
electronic resume that doesn't look like your dad's.
As always, don't waste your money.
