The Most Frequently Asked Questions About Resumes and CVs

Answers to common questions which can make your Resume more competitive

As a Professional Resume Editor, I receive many enquiries about how to go about writing a Resume or CV. Here is an abbreviated list of the most common. They are areas most people are unsure about, especially as to what to put in and what to leave out. I'm sure everyone will find them helpful.

How long should my Resume be?

This is one of the most frequently asked of all questions. Sometimes I receive a very brief one page Resume to work on. Other times I receive a 7-10 page ‘monster' to work on. What is the ideal length? On average, 2 pages – I repeat: 2 pages – is the ideal length. Less than this and your Resume will appear lightweight; longer and it can be repetitious and/or irrelevant.

That said, if you're newly graduated from high school, you might not have enough information to put on two pages. Although, you might have more than you realise. For a start, always include summer and weekend jobs, any voluntary work you've done, and any clubs or groups you belong to, especially if you have been on a committee or in some way assumed a responsibility. See the section on hobbies before deciding what and how much to include.  Always consider what you've done at school which can be added to demonstrate your skills and abilities which will translate to the workplace. If you only have enough information to put on one page, that is fine. Everyone has to start somewhere, and employers know that.

If you are a university or college graduate or postgraduate, you should have a variety of activities which will be suitable, even desirable to include. Field trips, research, presentations, reports, debates, mock/practice environment scenarios, etc., will all prove valuable on your Resume. They might even be more relevant than any part-time work you've done while studying.

For an executive, another one or two pages might be necessary to demonstrate the breadth of your experience. Keep in mind, though, that all the information you include must be pertinent to the position you are applying for. Much of what you have achieved will serve you better by being summarized. Always ensure you use your relevant experience to demonstrate how you will perform in the new position. In other words, don't merely list your duties, set out what a problem or undertaking was, what you did to overcome it or to reach the goal, and what was the result.

For everyone else, two pages are definitely enough.

What should I put in and what should I leave out?

Because Resumes today need to focus on what is relevant to the position you are applying for, much of your experience and knowledge will be redundant. It is necessary to really study what the job advertisement states and address it specifically with any examples, skills and abilities you have to perform in the position. If you are applying for a sales position, does your experience  sorting mail or stacking shelves count or does the job you had at a hamburger takeaway over summer better demonstrate your customer and cash handling skills?

For people with a longer work history, much of it relevant, the decision of what to use and what to leave out becomes more difficult. In this case, the most recent might be the most relevant, but not necessarily. Don't put everything in, especially if it goes over two pages, but it you really want to show what you've done, detail the most important and summarize the rest, using bullet points.

However, don't just list duties you've done. Show what skills and abilities you used to perform the most important tasks of your previous positions – choosing the ones which are most relevant to the position you are applying for.

What is a summary and why do I need one?

A summary is your introduction; a mix of sentence and bullet points to list what you are capable of and should be closely aligned to the wording in the job advertisement and description. You need one because it provides an instant overview of who you are and what you have to offer. Your Resume has to sell you, and your Summary will focus on your strengths giving you the perfect opportunity to make that all important initial impression. It might even be that before the reader goes through all the Resumes, they might sort them by the Summaries into a possible ‘yes' pile and a definite ‘no' pile. Only then will the busy HR person look more closely at the entire document. This does not always happens, but it does happen.

So the summary is a vital aspect of your Resume and deserves careful thought and attention. 

How far back do I need to go and how detailed does it need to be?

Think relevance. It might be that the job you had ten years ago honed the skills and knowledge you need in this new job. Or it might be, that only the last one or two positions have provided you with what you need. Keep to the point, keep to two pages, and don't just list everything you've ever done. No-one has the time nor the inclination to read it and will probably see it as evidence that you cannot focus or achieve an end result on time.

What qualifications do I need to include? Should I put everything?

Think relevance. If you have a degree in chemistry and a degree in finance and you are applying for a job in budgeting, focus on your degree in finance, stating where and when you earned it, your major/s and any awards or commendations you received. If you have other relevant qualifications, e.g. a certificate in finance software use, include that. Forget about qualifications below your degree, unless it is fully relevant, and definitely forget about secondary qualifications. It is worth adding your second degree, but just give the title, the institution and the year.

If you don't have a degree or college diploma, put your last year of education reached, especially if you are new to the workforce. However, if you have short course training in specifics you need for the new position, use them. When you are undertaking a current course of any type, include that – it demonstrates initiative and versatility.

When you are an early school leaver, for example, you might not have gone beyond minimum working age - leave that fact out altogether. Again, include any courses you have done elsewhere or since. It might even be advisable to enrol in some course, even one for a personal interest. And be prepared for the question when you go to an interview.

Do I include hobbies, and if not, why not?

No, because they are irrelevant. They would only take up valuable space on a Resume which needs to be no more than two pages long. Once, it was common to include hobbies, but in this day and age, unless they directly relate to the job, they are just going to annoy a busy HR person who not only is not interested, but who wonders why you are adding ‘fluff' instead of pertinent information. It is no longer accepted, and therefore is not professional. No matter what position you are applying for, your Resume needs to look professional.

That said, there are qualifications. As stated, a relevant hobby might boost your appeal, e.g. if you are an amateur topiarist and applying for garden maintenance work; or enjoy solving cryptograms when you are applying for a problem solving position. Another time when it might be preferable to add hobbies is when you are a first time job seeker and have scant information to put in your Resume. Having hobbies shows you also have an eye for detail, are able to organize, plan and concentrate, perhaps even budget.

Do I need to say if I am married, have children, my age, gender and nationality?

No. In Australia, and parts of America and Europe, there are laws that make it illegal to discriminate on any of these grounds. If you have the right qualifications, experience and abilities for the position, that is what matters.

However, when applying for some positions overseas, some Asian countries or the United Arab Emirates for example, these details might need to be included. Always check what they are looking for before completing your Resume. Only add what you believe will aid you in being the right person for the job. Never be afraid to ask what they are expecting or need if you cannot find out from their ad details.

Do I need a cover letter?

Yes, in almost all circumstances. If you a posting or personally delivering your Resume, always include a cover letter, and ensure you make reference to which job you are applying for. The company might have more than one job on offer. If you are emailing your application, follow the instructions on the website. The email will usually be the cover letter and should be written the same way as a letter form, and your Resume is usually included as an attachment. However, some companies want the Resume as the email and the job position in the Subject Line.

I had an interview. Do I need a thank you letter?

It is wise to send one. You might be the only one, and that will make you stand out from the crowd. It doesn't need to be extensive, just a quick thank you for their time and for considering you for the position, again stating which position, and that you look forward to hearing from them soon with their decision or a second round offer of interview.

If I have to fill out an application form, do I still need a Resume?

This will depend on the company, and the position you are applying for. There should be instructions given when you receive the application form. It is not unusual for an online job advertisement to include an application form to fill out and submit. There should be a direction advising you whether you also need a Resume, with details of where and how to submit it. If not, contact the firm and ask. Nine times out of ten, you will still need a Resume.

Mostly, you will only be required to fill out an application form at or after the interview.

Should I send my certificates with my Resume?

No. No. No. Send copies and take your originals with you when you score an interview. Ensure you bring your originals home with you again. You might need them again in the future.