Résumé and Cover Letter Tips to Stand Out From The Crowd
PAGE 3
Don't Include Everything
One of the biggest résumé trends Christine has seen with baby boomers is that they list every piece of experience they have. Instead of trying to fit everything on your résumé, focus on your past 10 years or so of experience.
"[Add] a very short reference to [your] early career path," Christine says. "[These] are ways to make yourself look current."
Be Prepared
Instead of putting the old phrase, "References provided upon request," on your résumé, Christine says it's assumed you'll come in for an interview armed with this information.
Create a business card version of your résumé and keep it with you. Include your contact information and a brief description of your qualifications. You never know who you will run into, and you don't want to miss the golden opportunity.
Reconsider Snail Mail
If you're trying to send your résumé to someone you don't know, Christine says to forget e-mail and try snail mail.
"Unsolicited e-mail doesn't get read," she says. "At least some clerk is going to open up [mail], so there is a better chance that it's going to land on somebody's desk."
Christine also advises spending less time on the job boards. She says that less than 5 percent of job seekers find employment through them. Instead, she emphasizes the importance of networking and meeting people. Although she says it's hard and can be very intimidating, people need to get past these barricades if they want to have a chance at finding employment.
Learn to write stronger cover letters.
One of the biggest résumé trends Christine has seen with baby boomers is that they list every piece of experience they have. Instead of trying to fit everything on your résumé, focus on your past 10 years or so of experience.
"[Add] a very short reference to [your] early career path," Christine says. "[These] are ways to make yourself look current."
Be Prepared
Instead of putting the old phrase, "References provided upon request," on your résumé, Christine says it's assumed you'll come in for an interview armed with this information.
Create a business card version of your résumé and keep it with you. Include your contact information and a brief description of your qualifications. You never know who you will run into, and you don't want to miss the golden opportunity.
Reconsider Snail Mail
If you're trying to send your résumé to someone you don't know, Christine says to forget e-mail and try snail mail.
"Unsolicited e-mail doesn't get read," she says. "At least some clerk is going to open up [mail], so there is a better chance that it's going to land on somebody's desk."
Christine also advises spending less time on the job boards. She says that less than 5 percent of job seekers find employment through them. Instead, she emphasizes the importance of networking and meeting people. Although she says it's hard and can be very intimidating, people need to get past these barricades if they want to have a chance at finding employment.
Learn to write stronger cover letters.
NEXT STORY
