Interview Tips - 7 things to avoid in your resume

7 circumstances to avoid in your resume:

1. Too much information, too many pages
2. Too little information, too brief
3. Not enough white space
4. Too small or unique fonts
5. Poor segmentation
6. Abstract or irrelevant content
7. Images and graphics

Just how long should a resume be is comparable to the question - how long is a piece of string. There isn't really a hard and fast rule for the length of a resume, it depends on a wide variety of factors - the applicants work experience, the position they held recently plus the kind of role being applied for. For almost any professional to propose that a resume really needs to be 1, 2 or 3 pages doesn't always have a feeling of perspective and reason. As an example, to suggest an individual with 20 years work experience plus in recent times fulfilled a senior management position should condense their history straight into a standardised 1-3 pages will likely be perplexing and may also trigger them eliminating a large amount of relevant information. Conversely, a newly graduated applicant may find it difficult to flesh out even one page of their resume.

As there is no quantitative ruling to the length of the resume assuming that the information is relevant to the job position together with the materials being engaging, I will speak from experience in cooperating with senior level qualified candidates that most are typically in the vicinity of 3-5 pages, with maybe 10% pushing beyond this range. I have come across a small number of resumes tipping over 15 pages!

I would suggest you utilize your discretion when you're thinking of selecting the length of your resume. To help in your evaluation, simply ask the question - is this information important or relevant and would the hiring manager be interested in reading it.

Too little information, too brief

It is said that too much information could very well be distracting and possibly at the detriment to getting your message across to the potential employer, the same has been said for insufficient information. Concise and to the point are desirable qualities but, not at the risk of limited context and being unclear or leaving information out entirely. I know of resumes condensed down to one page and it didn't leave a great impression in my mind. The idea of why was raised but, not in a positive way, more in the reality that their approach lacks conviction or they do not have the capacity to elaborate and communicate their experiences and talents. For anybody who is at a loss for content break-up the resume into sections and initiate fleshing out each area; separating the overall task and working towards a framework should assist. While thinking on what to include always ask the question - what might a potential employer like to hear about?

Not enough white space

There isn't any question that content is king with a winning resume so you should make sure it's clear to your hiring manager. A resume which can be too text heavy and without sufficient white space to break up the information will not only be harder to read but, psychologically the potential employer may see the resume as cumbersome and also the process to absorb it as being arduous - forming a subconscious opinion that's not favourable.

Deficiency of text plays a considerable role in increasing knowledge of the written text as well as focusing attention on key areas. When formatting your resume specifically the paragraphs along with the headings, set the paragraph line spacing to 1.15 plus the font space before a heading to 12 point and after a heading to 6 point. Whenever possible it's suggested to utilise bullet points to supply more white area surrounding the text.

Too small or unique fonts

I have witnessed it personally within my line of business, the applicant has used a small font (lower than 10 point) to cram much more information on the page which may come with an undesirable effect. I have been previously accountable for this myself. The smaller font makes reading much harder and creates a text heavy impression in the resume - not a message you want to convey to your hiring manager when time isn't a commodity to be wasted. As a guide, use 11-12 point font but, this will depend on the sort of font being utilized for a 12 point in Calibri will differ to a 12 point in Arial.

This raises the question about the type of font. At this point, there's an appreciation why the visual aspect is necessary to the way you will be perceived by way of the potential employer so you want to utilize a font that is definitely professional and straightforward to read like Verdana, Calibri or Arial - not Brush Script or Copperplate Gothic.

Poor segmentation

When coming up with your resume you want to give thought to defining each section. Similar to the usage of white space, segmentation of the text will assure the hiring managers eye is able to center on an actual portion of the resume with increased clarity. This segmentation is better achieved through the use of formatting and headings. I have seen resumes that happen to be very text heavy and do not take into consideration bold headings with lots of white space and it does require more concentration when reading.

Abstract or irrelevant content

Using the simple fact many of us are over-committed and time poor in daily life as of late, it would not make sense to provide information that distracts from the true substance. Information concerning work experience from 20 years ago or simply a time you worked in a role that carries no significance towards the role being applied for aren't necessarily a fantastic utilisation of the very limited time the potential employer will invest in you. When you're deciding on a finance and accounting role don't include work experience from a customer facing hospitality or retail role unless the job vacancy is operating in the hospitality or retail industry. Don't be confused - industry match is different to job function match.

There are more notable abstract areas to avoid and they can include such topics as religion, whatever you and your family love to do on the weekend, marital status, how many kids and pets you own or any non-professional memberships you may have. While you may feel there certainly is value within the inclusion, leave this to come up in conversation with the hiring manager.

Images and graphics

I'm all for visual aids - I believe that a picture does in fact tell a thousand words. The image, even a poorly positioned one, can be effective in communicating a point when flanked with an ocean of text because our brains and eyes are hard wired to discover images and patterns in daily life - this is an evolutionary trait. This visual identification and pattern recognition is why advertising agencies spend millions of dollars annually on flashy marketing material rather than the simple and mundane. Just analyze Coca Cola's or Nike's marketing campaigns and images and you will then begin to see the strength of visual wizardry actually in operation - most of the globe recognises their image.

Unfortunately, this idea isn't one adopted in resumes for two main reasons 1) it is not always commonly accepted and 2) it is not done professionally. The view on resumes is one of a professional document, one that's formal and structured instead of one to be made light of with the amateur "marketing brochure" approach. Traditionally, we're acquainted with a specific format and any deviation out of this might be too much for several hiring managers to process. I've personally trialed the application of some simple images to help illustrate the university I went to as well as the company I helped and I have tested full blown graphics and charts to summarise my resume in a one page visual extravaganza! The feedback was precisely the same, it looked nice and it definitely grabbed the eye of the hiring manager but, they still preferred the original format because that is what they're experienced with processing..

Tips Interviewing - Make your next interview your last

I'm Ryan.

I'm a high performing individual who leads an active life, finely balanced between work, a young family, keeping fit, study and entrepreneurial activities. I'm driven by success in all that I do and I don't accept average.

Currently, I work as a professional recruitment specialist for a tier 1 global recruitment firm - Robert Half. In my career, I have been both a hiring manager and a candidate and I'm now interested in assisting others find success in their careers.

Outside of work, I'm always engaged in some form of activity whether it is spending time with my young family, pushing the physical boundaries of my body, further developing my knowledge base at university level (current WIP - Master of Finance) or adding content to the many informative websites I own - recent;

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I'm always interested in networking so please feel free to connect with me.

"Live with intent, not by accident"

Ryan Erasmus

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