Art of the 5 second resume

[Johnny5]

I spend a good amount of time working with my students on what should and should not be on their resume.  If it matters, I spent the past 10 years hiring employees.  So I do have just a bit of experience in this.  A well organized resume should be easy to read, even easier to find information, and tell enough about you in 5 seconds that the person looking at it puts it in the "review again later" pile instead of the trash bin.  Keep it to one page (unless you are writing a CV (Curriculum Vitae)) and be sure to include 3 references and their contact info on that one page.  Use lists in some sort of order rather than long sentences as they are faster to read.  Keep sections neatly separated.  If you are emailing your resume to someone, be sure to make it a pdf first.  This will keep the format and style just as you want it and make it easy for the perspective employer to download, open, and read.  Keep in mind that this is all based on my own knowledge and experience.  If anyone has questions, feel free to reach out.   

[lil Mo]

I think that might depend on countries and jobs? In Germany you list your previous jobs in the CV but don't give references. 

We get kinda job performance letters/ report cards from previous employers and can add those to the application package. 

[Cebakes]

3 hours ago, gigisweetheart said:

I was told a few times that including references on a resume isn’t necessary these days. Most ask for references during the interview stage. ☺️

You are correct.  Never put your references on a resume.  I have 35 years experience in executive search and helped start a top five rated US executive retained search firm . 

[Cebakes]

For those of you who have experience and worked a number of years,  you always want to bulletpoint results and accomplishments to show what you’ve done in your roles.  

[Johnny5]

Lots of different ways to do things.  In my field, references are typically expected to be in the resume.  So if you are working on your resume, do your research and use the methods that work best for you in the industry you are applying to.  There are hundreds of ways to do it.  Everyone will have a different opinion.

[Johnny5]

Thank you Gigi!  You hit the nail on the head here.  More than once in my life I have had multiple versions of my resume depending on what job I was applying for.  I am always tailoring my resume and cover letter to suit the specific position I look at.  

I love that we can have these discussions to help those who need it and offer various points of view.  There is a wide variety of experience on this site and I love that we can tap into it and share.  Thank you to all of you who contribute to help out.

[Guest Anglice]

When I joined here, then I prepared interview question for Daddies who will apply for the job to be my Daddy. Now I laugh at me when realise how childish was I then. 😂