Resume Polish

Question

Hey All,

So I'm looking at my resume, which I'm glad I have kept updated every few months... does anyone know what exactly you need to do to "polish" it? Also, if you have 6 years of work experience, is it ok to have it go a bit over 1 page (if the school allows 1-2 pages that is, I know NOT to exceed a page if the school says so)?

Just wanted to see what thoughts people had out there... and maybe this thread can help all of us fix our resumes!

mNeo · Answer

When I started working on my resume, I was very sure that there was no way I could fit everything in 1 page. My resume stayed over 1 page for quite some time. But as I learned the art of refining, one fine day it really did fit in 1 page. And it looks beautiful. With under 10 years of experience, I believe that you can fit everything in 1 page - including community service and other interests. Just keep working on it.

Oh wait, but it is using 10pts with 6pts for empty lines. I think I read somewhere that the resume should be at least 11pts. Oh, my dear resume, here I come again.

riverripper · Answer

Everything I have read is make all app materials at least 11 font. So that means essays too which sucks since it cuts down so much on the words.

aviroop · Answer

I havent even touched my resume yet... if you guys want some resume polishing.. I can get it done for you through my HR dept.. I am all buddy buddy with them and they polish my resume on a regular basis.. so let me know if you want that pro shine on the resume.

mNeo · Answer

Okay, I've been able to fit my resume in one page with 11pts and 6pts for empty lines. I just had to do some more rewording.

kryzak · Answer

Hrm... I'll have to do some creative editing then.

avi, I'd love to use your HR buddy's resources =) Let me try to get it down to one page first...

pelihu · Answer

I think the current flexible guideline is 1 page for every 10 years of work experience. For the purposes of your application, I'd recommend going with 1 page. I think it's a bit different that if you were on an actual job hunt. For your application, you'll have other places where you can include certain experience (small details in the "work history" and lengthy discussion of important points in your essays).

kryzak · Answer

thank you pelihu, I forgot the difference between a job hunt and the application. Makes sense that 1 page is more than enough since there's a "work history" section and the essays!

Cheers everyone!

CookieMonster · Answer

mine is currently 2 pages, and i have only 2.5 years WE.
im going to keep it 2 pages, but i may have to shorten it for the MIT app

kryzak · Answer

BTW, there are debates about whether to put "Education" first or "Work Experience" first...

what are all your takes on this?

I'm thinking:

- Education: (with GPA, GMAT, Honors and Awards)
- Work Experience: Job title, general job description, bullet point accomplishments
- Skills: former leadership training, language skills
- Activities: Community Service and Hobbies

Some places say to put Education last...

dabots · Answer

im not sure you even need an education section...your gpa, gmat, awards will be covered in your other sections...as will extracurriculars/language skills

lanter1 · Answer

I would say work experience, education, other activities, and then skills.

I do have a question. My current company bought my previous company and the current company transitioned everyone over with retroactivated starting dates. How would you handle this? My HR Director says to put Company X (formerly Company Y) instead of listing them separately.

rhyme · Answer

work experience first. Its the most relevant part of your resume for applications.

mNeo · Answer

I also have work exp first, then education and finally community work

In education, I only specify the school, the degree and the thesis. Nothing about the GMAT/GPA etc.

aaudetat · Answer

Education on mine was dead last. I've done a whole lot since then.

I would say 

Company X (formerly Company Y) 
2002-present

Guys, don't forget that many interviews are "blind," meaning they don't have your application in front of them, have never even seen it. All they have is your resume. You want a solid, stand-alone document.

If the school allows 2 pages and you've got wothwhile stuff to say, do it. They wouldn't allow 2 if they were planning to ding everyone who did that.

kryzak · Answer

Based on that logic, you don't need work experience or anything on your resume since they're all in the application in more detail... Isn't that what a resume is, the summary of your application all on one page (or two if you're rhyme

)? Thanks rhyme for the suggestion, Work, Education, Others it is!

kryzak · Answer

Oh you never know... in these days of paranoia (for us 2008 applicants), the adcom will do ANYTHING to ding us... :shock:

mba2010 · Answer

That's what I did on mine. Saves space.

sangoman · Answer

most of these schools provide sample resume's .......arent we just supposed to stick with those??

kryzak · Answer

well, I broke down my jobs chronologically into 5 sections... one had to be broken into 2 because I got promoted in between. Generally my regular resume has only 3 sections, sorted by my 3 functions over 6 years. This chronological thing creates more sections because of my one rotation out of a tech function, and the promotion.

I can combine the two sections with the promotion into one, and just mention the promotion as a bullet point/accomplishment. Do you think that's prominent enough?

This way I'll have 4 sections... Tech A, non-tech A, Tech B, Non-Tech B.

Though my titles will be all screwed up... I'm using slashes like:

Software Engineer/HR Staff/Leadership Program (I made up the names) in each section.

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