Professional Resume Advice and Sample ... - Career Services

Now consider the situation of the technology sales executive who hassold into major companies in scores of industries. If he’s now pursuinga position where he’ll be selling only into broadcast-media accounts,then it’s great to mention that his previous accounts included ABC, NBC,CBS, HBO, and other major media companies. But it becomes just asimportant that he not mention Kraft Foods, Quaker Oats, and Star-Kist,some of his other key accounts. They’re irrelevant.Every word, every sentence, every line … They all mean something on aresume. There is no space to waste, so you must be certain that each hasa reason for being there and that nothing is arbitrary.#6: BE CAREFUL WITH YOUR NUMBERSMany job seekers, thinking they’re going to impress people who readtheir resumes, include dollar figures that might just keep them out ofthe running for a particular opportunity. Consider the executive whomentions that the last company he ran generated $350 million in annualsales revenues. Even though he’s well-qualified to run a $1 billioncompany, the people hiring for that position might not think so becausethey’re looking for a candidate with bigger company experience.Just as likely, if he applied to a company that does $50 million a yearin business, that company wouldn’t be interested either, thinking thatthe position might not be big enough for him. It’s tough to win in eithersituation!CHAPTER 2 : Strategy Tools for the Professional’s Resume39