FAQs

I am recent graduate. Should I put my Grade Point Average in my resume?

Yes, you should. Anything that makes you shine should be included, along with awards, kudos and accolades. This is especially useful for recent graduates just breaking into the work force.

What's the difference between a resume and a curriculum vita?

A curriculum vita (CV) is an academic resume and is used only for research and college/university teaching positions. A resume is brief (no more than two pages), and focuses on work experience. A CV can be as long as it takes to state one's qualifications, publications, papers presented, etc. (10 pages or more, since it includes the entire academic career of a person). Sometimes people ask for a CV when they really want a resume. Be sure to check with the person requesting it to be certain you are using the correct version for that position.

Is there a way to figure out what my objective?

Before you start job-hunting, you should decide just what it is that you have to sell to your prospective employer. Start by preparing a qualifications summary (which means, describe your qualifications that make you right for the job you want to get). Basically, you’re doing a self-appraisal. Everyone brings something unique to a position – you will realize this uniqueness only after you appraise yourself critically.

Do I have to have an objective on my resume?

Yes. An objective is your five-second sales pitch. Use it to hook the employer to read further. Be creative, but not cute. An employer is looking for professional people to hire, those that can fit a niche that has come open in the company. If your objective fits that niche, you’re on your way to an interview.

I can’t get everything to fit on one page. What should I do?

Although it’s important to be brief – it’s doubly important to be legible. If the employer is going to need a magnifying glass to read what you’ve fitted on to one page, then you should write two pages. But don’t go beyond three – that’s pushing it. No employer is looking for extra reading material – they have limited time – and little patience. Be precise, clear, and professional.

Should I include jobs that don't relate to the position I'm seeking?

Employers often appreciate knowing more about who you are than the experience that exactly fits the job can tell them. Therefore, this information helps them to see you as an individual, instead of simply "one of the pack." But keep it brief. Although its important to show the employer that you have experience in different work areas, you also don’t want to be long-winded. There may be times when all of your experience is too long ago, or varied, or inappropriate to list.

Isn’t it better just to phone an employer and up an interview?

You can try, but chances are, the employer will still ask you to bring a resume to the interview. People like to have something in their hands that they can use as a quick guide. Also, in the current work environment, no employer fields calls from prospective employees. A company has a set method of hiring – and that method must be followed. You have to show yourself to be a team player – not someone out to buck the system. An employer cannot judge your abilities and skills by your voice. An employer wants to see a summary of what you’ve done, and why he or she should hire you.

What format should I use?

It all depends on your needs. There is no "best" format for your resume. Usually, if you are continuing along a proscribed career path (engineering, for example), a reverse chronological resume is best. If, on the other hand, you are changing careers, a skills/functional resume will be more suitable.

Do I include hobbies and interests?

If you feel you must, then by all means include your hobbies and interests at the very of the resume (just before your References). Make sure you don’t list more than two or three – otherwise you’ll give the impression of having too much time on your hands, and not enough dedication to earning a living.

What are scannable and electronic resumes?

Scannable and electronic resumes are fed into a computerized database and must be in specific formats. Such resumes are useful because they give the employer a way to search for prospective employees with a search for specific qualifications, and they give you, the prospective employee, and the benefit of sending one resume to be considered for multiple positions within a single company.