Breaking Down a Resume

I would like to point out that the audience this article is targeting is within the security sector.?Therefore, although most of the material listed is universal, some references are specific to that industry.

Like it or not, your resume is an extension of you. ?It is your primary marketing tool and is likely to have a significant impact on your career.?Often, it will be your future employer's first impression of you, and it should exude professionalism and commitment to your career.

There are a variety of ways to format a resume; however, the three most common are chronological, functional, and a combination of both.?The chronological resume is the most widely used format that I come across every day.?Contrary to what the name implies, the chronological resume lists your most recent employment first and records your employment history in reverse chronological order.??

Let's walk through some key elements of the resume before we move on to the employment section.

HEADER

The header should be located at the top of the page. ?It can either be centered or placed along the left or right margins.??

CONTACT INFORMATION

The most prominent item on your resume should be your name, followed by your home address, mobile phone number, and email address. ?Although you can include your home telephone number, this is becoming increasingly obsolete and only muddies the process of contacting you.?In most cases, you are more likely to be reached on your cell phone than your home number.

EMAIL ADDRESS

The email address you use should be professional, not something absurd like Snakeeater@gmail or MoMoney@hotmail.?Some may view this as trivial, but I feel it speaks volumes about the applicant.??Furthermore, will I want that email address to be visible to a client if I include you in an email? ?The answer is no.

ADDITIONAL CONTENT

You may also want to include additional, value-added content, such as a LinkedIn profile, a website link, or a blog page if the material is relevant.?Including certifications or other credentials in your header establishes your expertise while also demonstrating an investment in your professional development.

I cannot tell you how many resumes I come across that are missing either an email address or a phone number.?The frustration is real my friends.?

HOME ADDRESS

As an employer, I want to see the applicant's home address on their resume; however, incorporating it is a double-edged sword. ?The location of where you reside could work in your favor or diminish or even eliminate you from contention.

As an example, two candidates with similar backgrounds apply for the same job in Boston. ?One applicant lives in Boston, whereas the other lives fifty (50) miles away. ?All things being reasonably equal, the applicant who resides in Boston may have an advantage. ?Why is this? ?Because the employer might factor distance, hours worked, drive time, traffic patterns, weather conditions, etc., into who is interviewed first, or at all.??

Which applicant has a better chance of getting to work on time in a snowstorm? ?How quickly can each applicant get to the client site in an emergency? ?The applicant who lives fifty (50)?miles away or the applicant who lives in Boston??

For a position that requires an 8, 10, or 12 hour day, how much commute time is added to those hours as well as travel costs, etc.???If an applicant is not accustomed to a long daily commute, how long will it take before realizing that travel time and fuel costs are not worth it and resigning.?Aside from resources wasted on the recruitment, onboarding, and training process, the employer is now forced to start the recruitment process over again. ?

There are many variables a responsible employer considers when reviewing a resume and how those variables will ultimately impact their organization. ?If, however, your resume indicates similar travel in previous employment, this may be less of a factor given the established history.

PHOTO

Is it a good idea to include a photo on your resume? ?In theory, a personalized resume containing a photo makes you stand out from the rest, as well as prevents you from being confused with another candidate. ?However, practically speaking, it's a terrible idea due to an employer's concern of being accused of bias or discrimination based on appearance.?In addition, in a corporate?setting, many employers will immediately toss a resume if it contains a photo. ?So, do not include a photo on the resume unless stipulated otherwise by the employer, which is common in the security industry (another subject entirely).?

Having said that, if you have a photo on your LinkedIn page, make sure it's professional.?Take ten minutes out of your day to put on a dress shirt or collared shirt, stand in front of a clean wall, and have someone take your picture. ?In the current technological climate, there is no excuse for an unprofessional photo.?

OBJECTIVE STATEMENT

An objective statement on a resume is antiquated, much like a home phone, so do not include it. ?It is often just "boilerplate" language that provides little or no substance.??

Instead, you should use that space for a Summary statement to highlight accomplishments, relevant skills, expertise, and other qualities that demonstrate why you should be considered in favor of other applicants.?You should approach the Summary statement as your opportunity to market yourself.?

It is absolutely crucial that you proofread.?I cannot stress the importance of this enough. ?You only have one chance to make a solid first impression. ?If your resume contains typos, misspelled words, inaccurate or incomplete phone numbers or email addresses, incorrect font sizes, or broken "links," you will appear unprepared and unprofessional, and this will negatively impact your chances of landing an interview.

Using software applications like Spellcheck can help you detect errors. ?Despite its ability to catch spelling errors, Spellcheck does not detect correctly spelled words used incorrectly, such as "there" vs. "their" So do not rely solely on Spellcheck.

PROOFREADING TIPS

• Take a break. ?Sleep on it and come back to it with a "fresh eye." This will help you notice mistakes that may otherwise have been overlooked.
• Proofread it in large font to catch mistakes.
• Print a physical copy so you can make corrections directly on the page. ?Sometimes errors are easier to spot in print form than on a computer screen.
• Have someone else proofread it for you.
• Read your text aloud, or ask someone to read it to you. ?You may?hear an error that you overlooked when reading.
• Email yourself your resume so you can review it on another device.?

Our next article will cover the body of the resume.?If you have any thoughts, please share them.

Gerard Boniello, CPP, is the President of Omnium Protection Group, a privately owned, Massachusetts-based security service provider specializing in luxury hotels, faith-based organizations, executive protection, secure ground transportation, and security consulting.?Gerard has been involved in the security industry for close to three decades and is the Vice-Chairman of The Board of Executive Protection Professionals, an organization focused on developing the first ANSI-certified Standard for executive protection.?

For more info, please visit Omnium Protection Group and the Board of Executive Protection Professionals.