Really Bad Resume Advice
By Kevin Donlin | April 23rd, 2008
From the “Those Who Can’t, Teach” file, here’s advice on resume writing that gets it exactly wrong:
Professor L___ S___, the Director of Undergraduate Advising, thought that the most convincing resume structure was the functional resume. “The functional resume will make the relevant information obvious,” and “the things I need to know will be seen right away,” Professor Schnell said.
Look. When my dog runs into the house covered in mud, she’s obvious. And she is seen right away. But that doesn’t me happy to see her.
A functional resume is you covered in mud. And employers won’t be happy to see you this way.
Why?
Because, as anyone who’s ever hired anyone can tell you, functional resumes are used to hide information, such as a lack of experience (in a recent college grad) an uneven work history. They are never the first choice of savvy job hunters.
When a hiring manager or recruiter sees a functional resume, their shields go up, just like on Star Trek. They immediately think, “What is this person trying to hide?”
Not the best way to make a first impression.
So, what’s the solution?
A hybrid resume that combines the best of functional and chronological formats. See my prior article here.
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April 25th, 2008 at 12:41 pm
Kevin, the advice you offer in your blog is helpful to anyone who wants to stand out when seeing a position. Your manifesto (which you generously allowed me to download for free) was even more helpful. In fact, I read it with my mouth hanging open!
Your techniques are really different than anything else I’ve read on the subject of how to find a job. I can see how these lessons you have created can make all the difference in becoming the top pick instead of just another resume!
Keep up the good work!