The past couple of days at work we’ve been combing over resumes and applications, as we’re hiring a new Network Administrator. I recall when I was an undergraduate CS student that it was difficult to know if I was on the right track when creating a resume. Was I putting anything down that would send my resume immediately to File 13? Did I write anything on the job application form that was going to cause the company to reject me outright?
After the past few days of sifting through resume and applications, I have a lot better understanding of what should and shouldn’t be on a resume, or in an application. I thought I’d jot down some miscues that people made, in the hopes that some looking-for-work IT person might cross paths with my blog and gain some insight 
The One-Page Resume Rule Is A Myth
I remember being told as an undergraduate that my resume should be confined to a single page. I don’t know who came up with this idiotic rule, but they obviously never had to sift through hundreds of resumes. Confining a resume to a single page forces prospective employees to do some really stupid things, like use very small fonts, eliminate whitespace between lines, and resort to rediculous layouts in order to get pertinent information on the page; information that I need to see and want to see.
Now, I suppose there’s some HR person sitting at their desk right now saying, “We like the one-page rule, because if the prospect can’t make it fit, then they’re not smart enough to work here.” Well, sorry, but you’re too stupid to be hiring anyone then, because you can’t fit 2GB of data on a 20MB hard disk. You should be fired immediately and replaced with someone who has a three-page resume.
So, here’s some tips:
- Use more than one page if you have to. We’re interested in knowing what kind of knowledge and experience you have. The more the better. If you have extensive knowledge and experience, and you need more than one page to get it down, then for crying out loud, use more than one page.
- Don’t use a tiny font. We don’t want to strain our eyes trying to figure out your educational background, certifications, or software experience. Small fonts hurt eyes, and that puts your resume in File 13.
- Layout counts. If you have a lot of information to get across in a resume, don’t resort to a really complicated layout in order to stick to the One-Page rule. Make your layout clean and easy to read. It should flow from the top down; it should not be twisted like a pretzel. Confusing layouts make us think you can’t communicate clearly.
- Use whitespace. Resumes where every line of text is smashed on the next line of text are difficult to read. Whitespace is your friend. If one small paragraph describes your experience at Company X, and the next line describes your experience at Company Y, then put whitespace between those two thoughts. Don’t mash them together – you’re not making a sandwich here.
Don’t Be Lazy On The Application
Yes, we understand that a lot of information will need to be duplicated from your resume. Guess what? Everyone else has to fill out the job application form too. You are not special, so putting “See Resume” on the application only signals to us that you are lazy and are not willing to put forth the effort. Remember – not every day of every job is perfect. There will be days when something you will be asked to do will seem trivial, redundant, and not worth the effort. But you still have to do it. If you’re lazy on your job application, we know you’re going to be lazy on those less-than-ideal days at work, and we’re not going to consider you.
Your McDonald’s Experience Doesn’t Matter
Yeah, I know – you don’t have much job experience. We’ve all been there. But any related job experience is better than putting down your five-month stint at Micky-Dees. If you are applying for a job as an IT tech, and you built a computer for your Uncle Bob for $20 labor and a six-pack of Bud Light, that means more to me than three years at a burger joint. Relevent experience counts. Irrelevant experience doesn’t. Everyone worked an irrelevant job at one point in time.
It’s Not Possible To Give 110%
This one drives me nuts. You do realize it is not possible to give more than you have, right? If all you have in your pocket is $100, then a $10 bill is not going to shoot out your ass if you simply squeeze harder. There is no such thing as “110%”. That’s a cliche, and it’s been used by everyone who ever lacked for a better way to differentiate themselves from their peers. So stop it. Put down “100%” and you’ll charm the pants off me, because it means you get it. You’re going to give everything you have.
You Are The Bottom Of The Food Chain, Accept It
Working on the weekend sucks. We all hate it. But someone has to do it, and that’s going to be the new person, namely – you. Don’t put on your application that you don’t want to work weekends, because that’s going to immediately send your application to File 13. You have to understand that you are the bottom of the seniority chain, and you’re going to have to work your way up just like the rest of us. Sometimes, that means grunt work and undesirable shifts. If you really want the job, you’re going to act like it, and your resume and job application will convey that.
Use Your Cover Letter To Be Enthusiastic
Enthusiasm is what separates two similiarly qualified applicants. It’s why one person will get the job, and the other will not, even if they have similiar experience and knowledge. There isn’t space in a resume or job application to let your enthusiasm come across, but there is in the cover letter. Let the employer know what you love about this line of work. Let them know why you want to work for them specifically. What is it about this job that excites you? You’d be surprised how many people can’t answer that question, and yet that question drives straight to the heart of the matter: do you really want this job?
These days, there are qualified individuals for just about every job opening on the planet. Employers aren’t going to waste time hiring people who lack enthusiasm. If you want a stable job – if you just want to pick up a check every two weeks – then you are not going to beat the person next to you who has the same qualifications. Heck, you’re not even going to beat the person who has lesser qualifications.
You can’t fake enthusiasm either. You either are excited about your work, or you’re not. In either case, we’re going to read it in your cover letter and hear it in your voice when we interview you. If you aren’t enthusiastic, find a different line of work. Because there’s no faking real enthusiasm.
Next time: What you should and should not do in a phone interview, and live interview.