Question:
In the process of updating my professional portfolio in
anticipation of leaving my current teaching position I came across my resume.
Knowing that this area of the job hunt/search undergoes trends of whats in and
whats out, I was wondering if anyone from the assemblage knows what the current
trend seems to be in the wonderful world of resumes? My biggest concerns are in
the areas of: length, how far back to list relevant experiences, etc. The basic
info has been updated I just need ideas on how to shape the final product.
Answer:
If you teach at college level, you should have a CV, with every
publication, award, achievement, and membership. Research
scientists use these as well, if I recall correctly. Everyone else
uses a resume, with one or two pages. Try to use one, unless
you have multiple schools and jobs. (I've gone to two, for four
jobs and three universities).
Lots of resumes are e-mailed now. So make sure to have a
version in Word, and readable by people without the latest
software. Some folks want it e-mailed directly, not as an
attachment, so it's worth formatting one without any graphics,
special fonts, center justifications, etc.
Most I've seen recently are as follows:
Name / adress / etc.
Career Summary
Work Experience
Education
Skills (Bullet list of computer languages known, for example)
Memberships / Offices / Honors
The last two are optional; I don't use them on mine.
The "Career Summary" replaces the old "Objective" and can
include anything you want to give special attention, or which
would otherwise be repeated in several job descriptions. Lists
of skills can be put here too. Bullet lists are OK.
Most of the length should be on work experience, unless you
are right out of school. Most people prefer listing experiences
in reverse chronological order. You can organize differently if
you have not had any recent experience that applies to your
goal.
Don't bother to list references, or even say they are available
on request. Everyone assumes this anyway.
