How to Correct Your Resume Besides Looking for Typos
Not only is your resume essentially your career laid out on one page, it is also your ticket to your next terrific opportunity. So yes, this is a big deal. With that in mind, it’s a good idea to have an extra pair of eyes to make sure it’s in top shape before using it for anything.
This post was originally published on the Muse website .
The question, then, is not so much whether someone needs to look at this, but rather what is this person really looking for? Typos, of course, but that’s not all. Here are three more questions to ask your resume reviewer to ensure you’re getting the best possible feedback.
1. What position am I applying for?
When your resume is finally in front of a hiring manager, you never want his or her first question to be, “Why did this person apply?” You might be able to see how all of your disparate experiences come together to make you a great candidate for the job, but on paper this isn’t always obvious.
If your reviewer tries to guess what position you are applying for, you will get a pretty good idea of what positions you are applying for. If the answers you receive are too untrue, consider adapting your resume to the job.
2. When did you start skimming?
You know that recruiters don’t spend more than six seconds on a resume . Of course, when you ask a friend to review your content, he or she will spend a little more time. However, there will be a moment when your friend wants to take a quick look.
No offense. Really be grateful. If you can pinpoint a place when it stops being interesting, that’s exceptionally good information when it comes to editing. Consider rearranging the sections a little to make them more interesting, or make sure the bullets make the most of the impact .
3. Do you have any questions after reading my resume?
This is similar to the first question, but instead of focusing on the big picture, you are dealing with details. Ideally, there are several checkboxes on your resume. The opposite would be to create a bunch of questions.
This does not mean that it should not generate any. They just have to be correct. If they are more like Tell Me More, that’s okay. Distressed implies confusion. If your reader cannot understand what you are trying to say, or is wondering why something is included, consider it a red checkbox for editing.
You might think the next step is to sit down and review everything. But the next step is actually writing a thank you note for your wonderful resume reviewer. Then we start editing. Good luck!
3 questions to ask a friend when editing your resume besides “Are there any typos?” | Muse