General Resume Tips

While Purepost’s translation service quickly and effectively alleviates the challenge of explaining your military background in a way a civilian employer will understand, there are still basic tips you’ll need to know.

1. Tailor your documents for each position you apply for. Recruiters can tell when you’re sending a resume that’s too general. When you tailor your documents to each position, and you make that recruiter feel like theirs is the only company in the whole wide world you want to work for. That’s the way to portray confidence and land an interview, and that’s the sole purpose of your resume.
2. Get to the point! Don’t be too philosophical. Nothing will elicit a dramatic eye roll from a recruiter faster than reading long paragraphs full of things that you want to “contribute to the success of a progressive company in a dynamic growth industry”. Unless you also want to, “learn quickly and have opportunities for professional growth”. Duh! We all want those things to some degree, and most employers provide them. Using philosophical language makes you seem: 1) self-centered and 2) unfocused. State your case quickly and in the language of the employer as much as possible.
3. Proofread! Typos and bad grammar are the quickest route to the “round file” (trash can). Have someone proofread your documents before sending. Employers will assume that your work product on the job will be of similar quality to your documents. Take the time, and make sure there are no little errors that could cause big problems.
4. No crazy fonts! ALGERIAN, Cooper, Curlz, Courier… “Really?”, you ask. Yes, really. People have actually used these fonts, and they're featured on resumes coming through recruiter's offices all the time. Don’t be those people. Keep it simple- Times New Roman, Arial, Calibri, etc. Let your qualifications stand out, not your font choices. Purepost allows you to export your online profile in resume format with a simple, modern font.
5. Create a separate References Page. Use the same style and font as your resume. Provide complete information for each reference: Name, Title, Organization, Mailing Address, Email, and Phone. Make sure the information is current. Send this to employers only when requested.
6. Notify the people on your reference list. Send them a quick email: 1) asking if it’s okay to use them as a reference, 2) telling them what you’re applying for, and 3) attaching your most recent resume version (tailored of course), so they're up to speed on your work history and can give the best, most relevant feedback to a recruiter who's asking about your qualifications. You want your references prepared, knowledgeable of your job search and ready to help.