Why are resumes important?

Why are resumes so important?  I was asked this question just the other day.  I was asked to write about resumes, the purpose of resumes, and why they are so important.  A resume is a more detailed version of an application and most times holds more information.  There are two different types of resumes that are commonly used.  Chronological resumes are ones that detail the dates of employment in order from most recent position held to previous positions held.  A chronological resume should not go more than two pages if at all possible.    The Functional resume is a resume that is used to highlight your skills when it comes to a particular position.  Employers are not paying as much attention to Functional resumes anymore because people will use them to hide gaps in employment, criminal records and negative employment experiences like terminations.

1.   1.    Importance of a resume? A resume should highlight your professional accomplishments and will give employers the “WOW” factor right at the heading.  Employers scan a resume for maybe 10 seconds and are looking at the layout, the font, the structure; the skill sets and if there are any spelling or grammatical errors.  A resume is used online also to apply for positions on various job sites so it is important that you know what the employer is looking for.

2.     2.  Mistakes on a resume can take you out of the running for a job even before you knew you were a possibility.  There are people seeking employment who are currently making the biggest mistake on a resume.  That huge mistake is lying on their resume, and by lying on their resume I do mean “dumbing down” their resume.  With unemployment at a high point many people think if they do not mention their higher degrees they will have a better chance at gaining employment.  This is not true in fact employers do all sorts of background checks on individuals.  These back ground checks are credit, criminal and schooling.

3.     3.  Mistake number 2 is to not focus the resume to the specific job being sought.  So many people blast out one resume that has some of the qualifications for the job but is not targeted to the position.  When trying this online, an individual needs to know about Resume Reading Software.  Resume Reading Software will scan your resume, seeking keywords that are being desired and if that resume does not have enough of the keywords, the resume is kicked out of the running for the position therefore it will not make it in front of a real person.

4.      4.  In my mind the purpose of a resume is to make the information an employer is seeking easier to read and easier to find.  Reading an application takes a lot of time and when an employer receives 70 applications or resumes for one job posting, this will make for a long day.  A resume gives the individual more ability to shine and sell themselves to an employer, without having to waste the employer’s time.  Resumes tell a story about the job seeker.  It tells if their work history is stable, if they have had multiple jobs within a year, and some employers can see what kind of worker the individual will be just by the organizational skill putting the resume together.

Remember that a resume should be an honest representation of you and your experience.  It should be tailored to the specific job and should not have any errors.  Even the “omitted errors”.  Employers want to know if you have the skills to do the job, the longevity to stay with them, and that you are not going to be a problem.