How your resume is evaluated

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Do I want to read it?  Is the overall appearance neat?

• Is your resume on white or a neutral shade of paper?  Do you use a 10 or 12-point font?

• Is your resume one page?  If two pages, is the information on the second page necessary?

• Is your resume clearly written?  Is it grammatically correct?  Has it been proofread?

• Is it well organized and uncluttered?  Is your format style consistent - dates in same format; states in same format?

• Is your resume current?

Do you have the required experience to do this job?

• If you list an objective, is it in line with the job opportunity available.

• Do you describe your job in a few succinct sentences, listed in order of importance, for each position?  

• If you are responding to a specific job, do you have current experience?

• Do your descriptions of past jobs include the experience needed?

• Does your resume contain signs of achievement?

How long have you worked in each position?  

• Are dates for jobs listed by month and year?  

• If times were short, can I determine the reason by reading the resume?  

• Are gaps in your work history explained in your cover letter?

Do you have the required education to do this job?  

• Have you taken classes or seminars to keep your skills current?

• Do you have certifications relevant to your profession?

Did you list interests? 

• Are your interests unusual or meaningful?

• Do they have the ability to generate business? 

Do you have a cover letter?

• Have you addressed your cover letter to a specific person rather than Dear Sir/Madam?

• Does the cover letter identify what you do?

• Does the cover letter convey the reason for your interest?

If requirements for the current search are met, 

a recruiter will call you for an interview.  

The evaluation continues.

• Do you have good communication skills?

• Is the conversation comfortable?

• If you have an answering machine or voice mail, is your  message professional?

• Do you return the recruiter's phone call?          

What do you think?  Are you going to get an interview? 

Keep your resume up-to-date.  It may be time consuming to write, but it is certainly worth the effort in the end.  You never know when and where the perfect opportunity will present itself.   

Bordwell & Associates

Call us at 949.724.1466