Resumes should feature snapshots, not laundry lists

Job hunters often make the mistake of providing too many details in their resumes. Prospective employers are looking for a snapshot of who you are, what you've done professionally and what you can bring to the table. Offering an exhaustive laundry list of every task you've performed will not help you win over time-strapped hiring managers.

Instead of getting mired in minutiae when describing previous roles, write a one- to two-sentence overview of the position, followed by a bulleted list of your most notable achievements. The following candidates didn't get the job done with their "Job Duties" sections:

"JOB DUTIES: Manage artificial workload."

We'd prefer to hear about your real workload.

"JOB DUTIES: Assist callers and answer heavy phones."

That's one way to build up your biceps.

"JOB DUTIES: Tracking competitor activities, scheming."

A conniving candidate.

"JOB DUTIES: I punch in projects."

Data entry by Rocky Balboa.

While I always advise using your computer's spell-check function, don't rely on the program to do your proofreading for you; it won't flag every type of error. This administrative candidate, for instance, intended to use the shipping term "bill of lading":

"JOB DUTIES: Produced bill of lady documents."

Finally, remember that sometimes less is more. These last two applicants would have strengthened their statements by deleting their extraneous second sentences:

"SKILLS: I am an administrative assistant who knows how to develop good rapport with coworkers. And I have no fear of heights."

A "peak" performer.

"CAREER OBJECTIVE: To secure a job in customer service at a bank because I love working with money and customers. Little old ladies make me smile!"

For more Resumania, and to submit samples you've come across, visit www.resumania.com. Keep the Resumania coming. Examples can be sent to Resumania, c/o Robert Half International, 2884 Sand Hill Road, Suite 200, Menlo Park, Calif., 94025, or faxed to 650-234-6998.

Max Messmer is chairman and CEO of Robert Half International, a specialized staffing firm, and author of Managing Your Career For Dummies(r) and Job Hunting For Dummies(r), 2nd Edition. His most recent book is Human Resources Kit For Dummies(r), 2nd Edition.

??

??

??

??

1