resumes

All your questions about how to write a good resume, answered — from formatting to content to what hiring managers hate to see.

this is a resume and cover letter that work

A reader recently shared with me the resume and cover letter she used to get a new job, and I liked them so much that I got her to agree to let me share them here. Note: Do not steal these and make them your own. The reason they work is because they’ve so customized […]

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when should I move education to the bottom of my resume?

A reader writes: I graduated from college 2-1/2 years ago and have held 2 positions since then, one of which I worked at throughout college. Those 2 jobs and 2 internships are included on my resume. I’m looking for new positions and am wondering, at what point do I move my education to the bottom […]

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should you add IQ or Myers Briggs to your resume?

It’s Flashback Friday! Here’s an old post from February 2009 that we’re making new again, rather than leaving it to wilt in the archives. A reader writes: Applicants always want their resume to stand out. Well, I know that a few of the companies I have worked for know of the Myers-Briggs Personality Type test. […]

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5 red flags in your job history – and how to combat them

When employers screen job applicants, they might spend as little as a few seconds scanning your resume before moving on to the next. If they see red flags during that initial look, you risk that they’ll just move on to the next candidate – so it’s important to make sure that any red flags in […]

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stop telling me you’re a great writer

It’s Flashback Friday! Here’s an old post from March 2009 that we’re making new again, rather than leaving it to wilt in the archives. It’s not a great idea — nor is it necessary — to brag about your writing skills in your cover letter or on your resume, via subjective assessments of yourself like […]

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should you post your resume on online job boards?

A reader writes: I have a job I really enjoy, but with a few critical caveats. My boss is a little . . . recession-conscious (salary in bottom 5-7% of salary range for my industry and area), and also a tad nutty. Ok, very nutty. (Cameras installed throughout the office so he can monitor conversation, […]

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get the words “core competencies” off your resume

If you have a section on your resume called “core competencies,” please call it something else. You do not need that horrible piece of jargon on your resume, and its presence there instantly makes hiring managers’ eyes glaze over. Call it a profile, call it a summary or highlights, I don’t care — but no […]

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should your resume be in narrative form?

A reader writes: I am a job applicant and recent MBA grad. I have gotten a lot of resume feedback from various sources, one of whom advised me to make my resume a narrative. My contact is an angel investor for high-tech start-ups and would presumably know what he’s talking about. Basically his point was […]

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red flags on your resume are turning employers off

As you’re probably well aware, most employers spend only seconds skimming your resume before making a quick decision about whether to reject you or consider you further, so it’s essential that your resume doesn’t contain the red flags that will turn them off during that short initial scan. Here are eight red flags that will often put […]

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