Résumé Tips for the Experienced Candidate
While a new grad’s résumé is often more general in nature, your résumé should be a showcase of your track record, demonstrating to a potential employer what you can “bring to the table.” Here are some tips to keep in mind:
- Give a summary, not an objective. Specify three or four skills that match the employer’s needs. These highlights can appear in a short paragraph or quick “bullet” format.
- Lead with experience, not education (the exact opposite of what a new graduate should do).
- List accomplishments, not just responsibilities. Don’t just tell employers what you did; tell them the outcome. For example: “Proposed and tracked $500,000 annual departmental budget. Only division to meet deadlines and operate within budget during past three years.” Such a statement reveals your problem-solving abilities.
- List activities that relate directly to your self-improvement efforts, e.g., continuing education, and the position you’re seeking. Don’t include hobbies.
- Determine your résume’s length based on accomplishments. An experienced candidate often has enough relevant accomplishments to expand his or her résumé to a second page. That does not, however, give you license to spell out every award, membership, or accomplishment in your résumé. You don’t want to dilute the focus.
- Consider listing and describing all of your accomplishments when developing the résumé. Tailor each résumé to include the accomplishments that relate to a particular employer’s needs.