It’s easy to get down into the weeds when it comes to a job search. Applicants often worry if they have the right amount of experience, if their resume format is eye-catching, what they should wear to the first interview. Recruiters will often say it’s the basics that break an application – from misspellings to unreadable formatting. Here are a few basics you won’t want to forget, from Bruce Heon, a recruiter at Pluribus International.
Font: Use a basic font that is easy to read such as Times Roman Numeral or Calibri.
Text size: Do not make text so small a recruiter can’t see it. Minimum should be 11.
Contact Information: Make sure your address, phone number and email address are current.
Company History: Do your homework to learn about the company you are applying to.
Education: List your education in descending order including school, degree, studies and year completed.
Key Words: All job postings have key words for the position. Tailor your resume to address each key word. Generic resumes could cost you an opportunity for an interview. Show that you put the time in to apply.
Chronology: Start with your most recent work history and continue in descending order, separating each section with a space. Do not leave any gaps in your history.
Spell Check: Please check your spelling and grammar before submitting. Be professional.
Follow Up: Follow up on your application. Recruiters are extremely busy. A quick email or phone call can show the recruiter your interest level.
Voice Mail: Change your voice mail response and delete the music. Be professional. When you leave a voice mail, spell your name and speak slowly when you leave your phone number.
Email: Set up a separate email address for your job search. Again, be professional.
More Is Better: The more information you have on your resume, the better chance you could have of an interview. There may be other opportunities that you could be qualified for other than the ones that you apply to.
