Your own Professional Curriculum vitae Is Not a good Obstacle Program

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Feet with arrows in different direction for professional resume with no direction

Have you been contemplating your less-than-satisfactory career situation? Once upon a time, you stood at the pinnacle of your class as the distinguished “cream of the crop” batch leader. However, now, despite your outstanding academic achievements, you find yourself sitting on the couch, anxiously awaiting a call.

If the phone does ring, it’s more likely to be the pizza delivery person checking your order rather than a job offer. Corporate America doesn’t care much about your past academic glory. What hiring managers want is a professional resume that clearly communicates your skills and qualifications.

Have you examined your resume recently? Does it feel like your CV is obstructed by obstacles and lacks direction? Perhaps it’s time to revise your resume and remove any barriers that might be hindering it from being an effective document.

Keep in mind that a resume is not an obstacle course. Your resume shouldn’t sound overly complicated or too simplistic. Avoid giving hiring managers a challenging puzzle to decipher regarding who you really are. Metaphorically, don’t include hurdles like rubber wheels, barbed wire traps, monkey bars, or vine ropes on your resume. Instead, provide the hiring manager with a clear path to understanding why you’re the right fit for the job.

Here are some ways to eliminate obstacle course elements from your professional resume:

  • Get Straight to the Point

    Clearly state your objectives concisely. Populate your resume with meaningful and impactful descriptions. Don’t pretend to have skills or experiences you don’t possess. In other words, don’t clutter your resume with pretentious claims, as hiring managers can spot inconsistencies easily. Avoid embellishing your resume with exaggerated visions of grandeur.

  • Organize All Key Roles

    For candidates with five or more years of experience, it’s advisable to arrange past roles chronologically. This is a traditional and widely accepted format for resume writing. No one wants to flip through a resume with disorganized and messy work history.

  • Start Your Resume on a Positive Note

    Hiring managers appreciate it when candidates begin their resumes on a positive note. Writing your resume with a positive tone can provide you with the morale boost needed to excel in job interviews or panel discussions.

  • Seek Professional Guidance

    When in doubt, consider consulting a professional resume writer to assist you with your application.

Allan Shelton holds a Master’s Degree in Business Administration and is a regular contributor to career development in various publications.