Resume format questions

jmreicha

I've got a couple quick questions concerning resume format. Is it generally better practice to use bullets or paragraphs for listing job experience on an IT resume?

Second, does a resume spilling over into multiple pages make a person who is reading it more likely to toss it out? Does it depend much on the beginning of the resume? I'm just trying to figure out what their perspective might be..

ltgenspecific

jmreicha wrote: »

I've got a couple quick questions concerning resume format. Is it generally better practice to use bullets or paragraphs for listing job experience on an IT resume?

Second, does a resume spilling over into multiple pages make a person who is reading it more likely to toss it out? Does it depend much on the beginning of the resume? I'm just trying to figure out what their perspective might be..

Bullets or Paragraphs:
Depends on what you're describing. The best looking resumes I've seen (pure management resumes not included) always have bullet points followed by a single, descriptive statement. NEVER use a full paragraph after a bullet point. If you've got a lot to say about what you've done, use the interview to do so.

Resume Length:
There is a general rule in HR that a resume should be a single page (the cover letter not withstanding). If you happen to have more than 10 or more years of relevant work experience you may use more than one page. As special exception is made for a management level resume. If you are applying for a management position (people mngmt, not sys. or network) AND you have past management experience up to three pages is accetable, depending on the position being applied for.

A resume is not there to get you the job, it's there to get you on a shorter list. Best practices in HR consist of cutting the applicant pool down by 75%, then 50% after managerial review. Then phone calls are made. Imagine having to wade through 200 resumes in a 2-day period utlizing this method. If I can't pick up your talents and work history at first glance, you get cut. This does not generally apply to recruiters and 3rd party head-hunters. They make money when you work so they call no matter what.

If you get a call from a hiring manager or HR screener, you've already beaten the odds.

TLDR: Wax poetic in the interview. Short and sweet on the resume.

Personally, if I see a staple / multiple pages and you're not going to be someone's boss, the resume is put aside.

Hope it helps.

jmreicha

Thanks for the clarification. The issue I'm having is that if I change the experience section into a bullet format my resume will spill into two pages.

Should I maybe just cut out some of the shtick to make the resume easier to read and fit into one page and just save that other technical stuff for the interview?

Mike-Mike

i use bullets

mikedisd2

jmreicha wrote: »

Thanks for the clarification. The issue I'm having is that if I change the experience section into a bullet format my resume will spill into two pages.

Should I maybe just cut out some of the shtick to make the resume easier to read and fit into one page and just save that other technical stuff for the interview?

If you have filler, remove it. Keep technical stuff because you may not make it to an interview without it. Yes, difinitely use bullets. If it spills over a few lines, then you may have to get smarter with your wording to economise on space. Post it here if you would like any suggestions.

As for the length, I don't believe the a resume has to be one page. If you have enough relevant material, go to a second; just make sure it fills most or all of it. The first page must be interesting enough for a recruiter to want to flip over to the second. My resume is 2x pages covering back to 2001 and there is no way I could cram it all on to 1x sheet. However, the second page is only older work history and HR can either glance at it or ignore it. All the good stuff is on page 1.

darkerz

I need to disagree with the 1 page rule. Call me crazy, but under my Technical Skills section, I don't know how I can simplify my deployment, configuration, troubleshooting and administrative abilities with Windows XP, Vista and 7 into one line without mentioning the various tools and verbiage needed to take the point away.

For example;

I have under Tech skills-

• Qualified in installing, managing, and configuring Windows XP/Vista/7 installations including fresh installs, upgrades, configuring custom images for mass deployments on a smaller scale, hard-line & network deployments and troubleshooting of client systems. Done small and large scale user state migrations with WET or USMT 3.0 and 4.0.

Would you guys recommend I simplify skill points like this into:

• Configure, Install, Deploy, Troubleshoot and Administer Windows XP/Vista/7

?

If so, then I can see why the general rule of thumb is 1 page. Now that I think about it... My resume looks much prettier when I get right to what my skills are. The problem is the HR depts have key word filters, one of them admitted if SCCM or USMT was not mentioned on a resume for some key analyst roles, they would never get to them... Yet resumes using any descriptives = long and disregarded.

It's a dangerous loop. I've gotten 2 replies back to 8 postings to my resume so far... I guess it's not bad, considering I'm only MCTS and not even done w/ my college degree + experience'less. Hmm. Any advice?

jmreicha

Forgive me for asking, but how do I attach files to posts? Sorry, I'm new here.

ltgenspecific

mikedisd2 wrote: »

The first page must be interesting enough for a recruiter to want to flip over to the second. My resume is 2x pages covering back to 2001 and there is no way I could cram it all on to 1x sheet. However, the second page is only older work history and HR can either glance at it or ignore it. All the good stuff is on page 1.

Herein lies the issue. You've got 10 years worth of experience, all of which (I am assuming) is highly technical. HR professionals are going to expect you to have a 2-3 page resume. HR/Hiring Managers are looking for deep skillsets for the jobs you're looking to get. So you're on the right course for your level of expertise.

**Anything less than that, it should only be one page. It's not that you don't want to describe your skills, it's that 50 other people can do the same thing and describe it more clearly and concisely.**