The Worst Resumes in the World

How to Make Sure That Yours ISN'T One of Them

Copyright 2004-2010 G. A. Puleo

A well-crafted, focused resume clarifies your objectives in a compelling way to a prospective employer.  It's purpose is not to get you hired, but to sufficiently pique the employer's interest so that an opportunity to interview follows. 

As a professional resume writer, I am routinely hired to rewrite a job candidate's resume.  Despite their best intentions, many candidates create a resume that is haphazardly organized, poorly written and lacking a compelling reason why an employer should consider them. 

Does your resume fall into this category?  Answer the following questions truthfully to determine if your resume needs improvement: 

• Do you send out resumes...but get few (if any) interviews? 
  
• Do readers of your resume have difficulty understanding how your professional qualifications led to achievement of your objectives? 
  
• Do your eyes wander aimlessly over the page...because there's nothing of interest to focus on? 
  
• Does your resume somehow not 'look pretty?' 
  

Your resume is a personal introduction to an employer -- so, first impressions are critical.  How many of the above questions did you answer "yes?"  The more yesses, the more your resume needs to be overhauled. 

Overhauling a resume is tedious, often frustrating and can be very time consuming.  To help you, here are 4 reminders of the top characteristics of 'the worst resumes in the world.' 

Reminder #1: Weak resumes have vague objectives.

Despite numerous admonishments to change it, this is still one of the most pervasive 'objectives' I've seen on resumes:  To obtain a challenging position that offers opportunities for advancement. 

Consider why this objective is weak:  What is your definition of 'challenging?'  To what levels do you want to advance?  In what field or industry do you prefer to work?  In what kind of culture do you excel?  This sample objective cannot answer these questions due to its imprecision and lack of specificity. 

Tip:  To transform a vague objective into a powerful one requires the precise answering of the following questions.  (1) What kind of position are you seeking?  (2) What kind of company or organization do you prefer?  (3) Where do you want to live and work?  For example, To obtain a management position in pediatric intensive care at a teaching hospital in the mid-Atlantic region. 

Reminder #2: Weak resumes don't quantify nor qualify.

Which statement is more powerful:  Excellent written communication skills OR Responsible for content, editing and production of a monthly hospital newsletter mailed to 2,500 patients and staff?  Although both focus on written communication, the first statement does not offer proof of this professed ability. 

Proof provides credibility in a resume.  The second statement quantifies the scope of these communication skills by defining the publishing frequency and audience size of the newsletter.  The second statement proves the quality of the candidate's written communication skills through the overall production responsibility of the newsletter; the first statement could simply indicate that an occasional article was published. 

Tip:  Quantify and qualify your skills and accomplishments to prove that you can do what you say that you can do. 

Reminder #3: Weak resumes ramble.

Resumes are marketing pieces that should quickly sell the unique qualifications or selling propositions (USP's) of the candidate.  But, for most job candidates, writing their resume is akin to writing an academic or scholarly document. 

Don't use complex or compound sentences.  Don't arrange the components of your resume based on when the thoughts came into your head while you were writing.  Don't let modesty downplay your accomplishments. Remember:  you only have a maximum of 30 seconds to make a strong first impression that will encourage the employer to ask you in for an interview.

Tip:  Write sentences that are concise, precise and action oriented.  Get to the point quickly by focusing on how you will be able to help the employer achieve their key performance objectives. 

Reminder #4: Weak resumes are poorly designed and laid out.

Marketing pieces used to sell products and services are strategically laid out (i.e., placed on the page).  This directs the reader's eyes to those items that are of the most importance or benefit to them.  Why?  So that the reader will want to take action to learn more about the product or service before buying. 

This is the same case with an employer:  your resume compelling piques their interest so that they can find out more in an interview. 

Graphic elements, title placement, paragraph structure and location of information create the design of your resume.  But don't get carried away -- too much of a good thing weakens your resume's overall impact. 

Tip:  Choose a structure or framework that will highlight your features and benefits to employer -- then use this throughout the resume.  Consistent page location and font style help an employer to easily focus on your skills and accomplishments.  When your KSA's (knowledge, skills and abilities) shine through, then you can feel confident that your resume isn't one of the worst resumes in the world.

Click here for 5 Tips to a Dynamic Resume -- our 1-hour webinar for tips to automatically improve the quality of your resume.