Ask a Manager

Y’all, if your work experience doesn’t start until the second page of your resume*, this is a problem. Employers care what you’ve done. That’s your work experience. All that other stuff taking up tons of real estate is (a) way less important  and (b) really, really, really not something that should be pushing your work experience […]

Wondering how to write a great resume that will show off your skills and experience and get you interviews? Here’s a beginner’s guide to how to craft a resume that will catch a hiring manager’s eyes. Your resume should be composed of the following sections: Contact info. This is pretty straightforward – this is the […]

This was originally published on June 4, 2012. If you’re a recent grad, there’s a 50% chance that your resume or cover letter includes a mention that you “work well both independently and in groups.” Announcing this is like announcing that you show up for work on time. It’s expected that you’ll do it; it’s […]

A reader writes: I was wondering if you agree with the advice to keep your home address off if your resume? I do look at addresses on resumes, to see if it’s realistic for someone to get to the job or assess whether they will be needing a relocation package. In general, I think job […]

If you’re like most people, your resume lists what you were responsible for at each job you held, but doesn’t explain what you actually achieved there. Rewriting it to focus on accomplishments will make it way more effective (i.e., “increased email subscribers by 20%  in six months” instead of “managed email list”), because that explains […]

A reader writes: I’ve had a few people ask me if I have more than one version of my resume. I have tried to draft completely different versions, but have found it daunting and so have stuck with the same version, save for minor tweaks to the wording of the brief objective statement. I have […]

This is a small thing, but if you’re sending out a resume with a date like “resume2013,” please go update it right now. Otherwise, fairly soon you’ll start looking like your job search has been a lengthy one (which, rightly or wrongly, can turn some employers off) — and like you’re not paying attention to […]

A reader writes: What are your thoughts on “resume paper”? Considering how many retailers stock it (and have stocked it for decades), I imagine many people use it. Is there any value to it? What do hiring managers think of it, if they even notice? I am going to hereby free you from any reason […]