Résumé makeover needn’t be extreme to win more than passing glance

It sounds like a popular television show, but the reality is that it’s something everyone — not just job seekers — should do.

"There are so many bad résumés out there, and job applicants don’t realize that a bad one could be what’s stopping them from getting a job interview — even though they have the skills," said Kathleen Canfield, director of Harper College’s career center in Palatine, Ill.

By: Carol Kleiman / Syndicated columnist

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2002011871_kleiman22.html

I asked Canfield, who has master’s degrees in education and counseling and has been in career counseling since 1999, if she plans to ambush people on the street and redo their résumés.

Nothing that extreme.

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"No, our workshop will give really bad examples of résumés and then really good ones," Canfield said. "Good résumés are noticed by potential employers."

One makeover is to excise vague statements from your stated objective.

"You need to start with an objective that is focused," Canfield said.

"In today’s job market, you have to be specific. It should be clear and to the point and match the job description."

For example, to state "I’ve always wanted to work for your company" is warm and fuzzy but doesn’t mention the job you’re looking for.

The makeover would look like this: "Seeking a position as an accountant."

Another section of most résumés that probably needs an extreme reworking is "the way your job history or experience is listed," Canfield said.

Her advice: Don’t just state where you worked and when. Also include "what you have done at a company and relevant accomplishments that apply to the job you want."

For example, if you’re a sales representative applying for a job in education, don’t emphasize your sales experience.

Instead, redo your work history to "stress interpersonal skills and customer relations, because they’re transferable to education."

Easier to do than a complete face-lift, massage other information you want to include, Canfield suggests.

"Putting in personal information is inappropriate, such as the fact you like to play basketball," she said. "But leadership positions and volunteer work are important."

As part of manicuring your résumé, make sure its format is easy to read and that it’s free of spelling errors.

"I serve on a hiring committee for the college, and 80 percent of the applications — most of them from well-educated people — have spelling errors," Canfield said.

I asked her how often you have to go to this extreme with your résumé.

"If you’re a job seeker, just do it once and then continually update it as you change jobs and get increased responsibility," she said.

"If you’re a job holder, do it at least once a year."

She adds: "An extreme résumé makeover is not really that extreme, but it means taking a really hard look at your résumé.

"I’ve watched the extreme makeover reality shows and I think they’re life-changing — but the pain the people go through really is extreme," she said.

"This résumé improvement isn’t that painful."

E-mail questions to Carol Kleiman at [email protected]. Distributed by Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News.

Copyright 2004, Chicago Tribune