June 15, 2022 - BCPL Resume Tips

Thanks for popping in to check out our resume tip for this month! For June 2022, Brooke County Libraries are ready to share another piece of advise.

Resume Tip #20

Don't overload the reader.

It's easy to get caught up in descriptions and examples on your one-page resume. Keep in mind, your resume should always be a simple and at-a-glance one page documentation. You do not want to have text boxes and sections all over the page. Stick to a traditional and simple format, and we assure you that you'll see results. 

The same way you don't want to babble non-stop in a job interview, you don't want to exhaust your potential employer with extra information on your resume. You want to stick to the basics. And please remember, your resume is not the place to say your favorite things about previous jobs or your reason for leaving previous positions.

The most difficult section to keep clear and concise is the work experience/job history portion. You absolutely want to give a true description of your past job responsibilities. But there's no need to give a full recounting of each day on the job. And it's easy to ramble (Oh! Then, I did this too...). Stick to the most relevant tasks to the jobs you are applying for. No one at an office will care if you took out the trash if you already have a paragraph of job duties. Unless you're applying for a position on the cleaning crew of course.

Future employers will get to know you more in your job interview. You just want to catch their eye with your resume. So, don't feel like you have to include sections such as skills, volunteer history, or extensive education details unless you are looking to fill your page or include certain details. Don't put in information just for the sake of adding information.

That's it for this month! We'll see you again in July for another tip. In the meantime, don't forget to check in with your local library during your job search. They can be an excellent resource.