ResumePower Blog

If you’re like many workers, as your career progresses you add to your resume. But what do you take away to accommodate the new information? If you don’t edit the old stuff, your resume will soon become an unwieldy monster.

My new article on Monster Declutter Your Resume in 5 Steps goes into detail on cut the clutter and clean up your resume.

Did you ever see a resume that was impossibly perfect? Sort of like the airbrushed and Photoshopped people in the media? A perfect career progression, unbelievable job successes, the ability to produce stellar results working both independently and as part of a top-performing team?

If your resume is a bit too perfect, employers might not believe you. Remember, employers want to hire people who are likable, and if your resume positions you as being a bit too over the top, you could be passed over for a less perfect (but real) applicant.

How much information are you giving to con artists when you post your resume online? It could be more than you realize, opening yourself up to identity theft, junk mail, and email scams. My article Getting Personal on Your Resume: How Much Info Is Too Much? provides tips on how to avoid being a victim of online improprieties, while giving your resume the exposure needed for a successful job search.

Does your resume present you in the best light? You only have a few seconds to make a good first impression, so make sure your resume effectively delivers your marketing message. If you’re not sure, download our Resume Checklist (in PDF format) and put your resume to the test.

Deborah sent me an email today and asked, “I’m having such a hard time finding a job because I’m moving to Dallas from Florida. Employers won’t give me the time of day when they see I’m in Florida. Help!”

This is a common dilemma, and if you’re relocating, you need to make sure your resume shows your intention to move. Yes, it’s always more difficult to find an out-of-town position, especially if your career field is saturated. Indicate your relocation preferences (such as “available to relocate” or “relocating to Dallas”) in parentheses next to your current address in your header. This is because hiring managers may glance at your header to see where you live, and indicating that you’re open to relocate might help you get an out-of-town interview.

Your cover letter can reiterate your interest in relocating. To make your application more inviting, mention that you will be handling all relocation expenses.

Here’s an article that might help: Rev Up Your Resume to Relocate

A salary history is a document that contains your earnings history, but consider the consequences before providing your salary information. Employers often use this information to weed out candidates or to see how “cheap” they can get an employee. Your ability to negotiate a salary offer down the line might be compromised if you state your actual history.

If you decide to submit this information, create a separate sheet called “Confidential Salary History.” An easy way to set up this form is to open your resume and cut all sections except for employment history (keep your header with your name and contact info). Then, snip the job descriptions from the employment section, leaving just the employer name, location, your job title, and dates. You can then add your salary (usually ending salary) below each employer. Be sure to include total compensation (bonuses, stock options, tips, etc.).