Carrie Childs, President of Lindsay Group Inc., was recently featured in April-May 2009 issue of In Focus magazine.
 Carrie says helping job seekers gain leverage in a flooded market is vital.  "Looking for a new career opportunity is a full time job, requiring research to identify opportunities that may fit your background and skill sets" she says.  She notes that job seekers must know the market, hiring trends and industries that are hiring. "The actual resume is the key" says Childs. "It is the introduction to the hiring manager. Most hiring managers are glancing at a resume looking for specific skills or industry experience that will bring value to their company. A strong resume is about content, but also about how it looks to the eye of the hiring manager." 
 

By: Randy Papanek

If you have ever researched resume writing tips on the internet, you have probably read the various opinions out there on what the proper format, length and style your resume "should" be.  The truth is, there is no ONE sure way to create a job winning resume, but there are many ways NOT to.  You see, a resume has a certain flow, look and feel that can be a reflection of your individual taste and style while at the same time, convey enough information about your skills, employment experience and education that it sells you to the employer and lands you that big interview.  This is easier said than done.  We often attempt to dazzle the employer with fluff and fillers instead of focusing on quality and relevant content.     
 
That being said, here are a few things you should avoid using in your resume: 
 
Listing your Hobbies- Too much information!  The employer does not care that you take Tae kwon Do or like to snorkel.
 
"References available upon request" at the bottom of the last page- Of course they are!  There is no need to mention the obvious
 
Charts, Graphs, Tables and over the top graphics- Don't get carried away!  What's next, a power point version of your resume?
 
Functional Format- Too confusing! Chronological resume is easy to read and preferred by employers
 
Using multiple fonts and pitch- Keep the flow consistent!  Use the same font and pitch size throughout
 
Paragraph Format- Be careful, a resume that is too wordy will not be read!  Keep your content focused and to the point- Bullet format is preferred
 

The South Florida Technology Alliance (SFTA) promotes the growth, success and awareness of the regional technology community. Through events, networking, programs and education, we provide south Florida's technology-related companies, academic institutions, entrepreneurs, governments and related organizations with an active forum to grow the business of technology in our region.

 

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