On resumes

Published on February 8, 2005 By Jamie Burnside In Business

Later on today I will go in for a job interview for a part-time job teaching night school. I wasn't really looking for a job at the time, but my wife found an ad in the newspaper for a position that I am qualified for, so I decided to give it a shot.

Before going in, I had to prepare a resume. Prior to learning about the job I wasn't really searching, so I had to write a new resume (as my old one was out-of-date.)

Going over the templates on Microsoft Office, and pondering resumes in general, I had a few thoughts:

Does anyone in a personnel position really read the "Objective" section of a resume? (I mean: besides for laughs?) One would think that something so meaningless wouldn't have such a prominent place on a resume. Why wouldn't relevant experience, professional licenses, or education go first? A realistic objective would be: I want this job so I can get a series of consistent paychecks, buy a house, and start a family. I'd also like to take the occasional vacation. Please hire me so I can stop looking for a job.
What's the deal with the fancy paper? I feel that there is an inverse relationship between the quality of stationery and the qualifications of the applicant. (Don't take this analogy too far. I doubt that even an eminently qualified candidate wouldn't write his resume on a bar napkin. I am just saying that too big of a deal is made of the fancy schmancy paper. Plain old typing paper makes the job hunter seem less desperate, doesn't it?)
"References on Request" What's the deal with that? If you've got them, put them in. References are just as important as the other important ones I mentioned.

So those are my thoughts on resumes. I hope that I get my one-night-per-week job. (I didn't put an "Objective" statement on my resume by the way.)

Comments

Zoomba

on Feb 08, 2005

Objectives are just silly. They mean nothing and they're just a load of BS trying to catch the eye of some clueless HR rep who has no idea what the job they're reviewing for actually entails. I don't know a single person who actually puts any weight behing an Objective statement. The only thing is if you don't include it, sometimes you can be seen as not being serious about the job. Sure, it's a silly waste of space on the paper, but doing shows you took that extra bit of time preparing the resume.

Fancy paper is not meant really to show you're better, but to have a heavier sheet with different texturing or color makes it stand out quicker from the rest of the stack. It's about catching the reviewer's attention. Once you get past round one of the resume cuts, no one cares about the paper though.

"References on Request" is often used when there's a length limit. An example would be how companies that go to college job fairs want no more than a one page (one sided) resume. If you're cramped for space like that, having one line saying "Yeah, I have references I just don't have space to list them" is helpful.

Jamie Burnside

on Feb 08, 2005

Yeah I suppose you're right. It does make sense to include these things if one has to "go through the mill" to get a certain job.

It all really depends on the type of job, doesn't it?

Dr Guy

on Feb 08, 2005

The only time Objectives was even read in my case, it turned out to be the deciding issue between another guy and I for a job. He got it, I did not.

ON the bright side tho, one year later the company that passed me up went bankrupt! So is that bad that my objectives were not as good as the other guys?

Cordelia

on Feb 08, 2005

You probably know this stuff already but:

I never put in an objective any more. I don't think anyone misses it, so you can easily do away with this part of it.

As for nice paper, I try and stick with something that is off-white and a little nicer than plain xerox paper but don't get too fancy. The idea here is to prove that the resume you are giving them is an original. Never EVER give anyone a photocopied resume.

I agree with you about the references, although mine usually have to go on a separate page at that point. It used to be that resumes were a one page only thing, but I think that may be changing these days.

Good luck with the job interview! I find I really enjoy teaching. Hopefully you will too.

foreverserenity

on Feb 08, 2005

I haven't had to write a resume in the last two and half years, but I guess it depends on the job you're going for. Some people really like to see the nice quality paper (and I agree with Cordelia, it doesn't have to be expensive) and the nice layout. I guess if you do that, it shows them you took the time and you know how to make your work look good, if that's even necessary. That's just my take on it, having been in prior positions where I hired staff.

Good luck on the interview.

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