Resume Writer & Career Coach — ResumeToReferral.com


FOR RESUME WRITING &
CAREER COACHING SERVICES,
CALL (937) 325-2149

  • » Free Quote
  • Writing Services
        • Resumes For Social Media & Marketing ProfessionalsMulti-Certified Marketing Professional Who Creates Branded Resumes & LinkedIn Profiles For Social Media Professionals & Influencers
        • Resume Writing Services - All Career FieldsWriting High-Quality Resumes & Job-Search Materials Since 1999. Credentialed. Experienced. Personable.
        • Accounting Resume Writing ServicesResume Writing Services for Financial Professionals in Accounting & Financial Services. We Specialize in Working with CFOs, CPAs, Accounting Managers, Business Analysts, and Accountants.
        • LinkedIn Profile Writing ServicesAppeal to Hiring Managers & Recruiters via LinkedIn With an Attractive, Keyword-Rich LinkedIn Profile.
        • Services – Military-to-Civilian Resume Writing ServicesTransitioning Active-Duty Military (Army, Air Force, Navy, Marines, Space Force, Coast Guard) Through Retirement & Into Civilian Positions.
        • Services – Resume Writing For Sales & Marketing ProfessionalsWe Apply Advanced Strategies to Sales & Marketing Resumes & LinkedIn Profiles. We’re Content Marketing & Digital Marketing Certified.
        • In-Depth Resume Evaluation & FeedbackWould You Like a Professional Resume Writer to Review Your Resume & Give You Feedback? We’ll Provide You With Personalized Advice on How to Make Your Resume Better.
        • Recommendation Letters - Customized to YouHave You Ever Had a Boss Say, “You Write It & I’ll Sign It”? If Yes, Let us Write a Killer Recommendation Letter For You.
  • Interview & Career Coaching
        • Interview Coaching & PrepCustomized, One-On-One Interview Coaching to Ensure You’re Ready for That Next Big Interview. We Help You Make a Strong, Impactful Impression on Hiring Managers.
        • Career Coaching & PathingWe Empower You With Support & Solutions-Based Career Coaching That Delivers Results. Get The Mentorship & Inspiration You Need to Make Fast, Informed Career Decisions.
  • Employee Outplacement
        • Services – Employee Outplacement For Employees @ All LevelsWe Deliver Corporate Outplacement Services to Help Former Employees Transition to New Employment Faster.
        • Services – Outplacement Services For ExecutivesWe Provide Executive Transition Services, Including Resume Writing, Career Coaching, Interview Prep, and Executive Bios. Our Clients Find Jobs Faster Using Our Personalized, Comprehensive Program.
        • Spousal Relocation ServicesWe Provide Spousal Relocation Services for Trailing Spouses in Search of That Next Employment Opportunity
  • Downloads
        • Best Practices For Writing Thank-You NotesJust $7, This Download Has Many Content Ideas You Can Use When Writing That Next Thank-You Note or Email
        • Downloadable Resume TemplatesGive Your Resume a Facelift With One of These Professionally Designed Resume Templates
        • 30-Day Job-Search Action PlanNeed an Action Plan to Get The Most of Your Next Job Search? If Yes, This $7 Download is For You.
        • Jobseeker's Guide to Developing a Brag BookUsing a Brag Book to Showcase Your Many Talents & Skills is a Great Differentiator. Use This $7 Quick Guide to Develop an Impressive Brag Book is an Afternoon.
  • Blog
        • Resume Writing Tips + Examples
        • Interview Strategies
        • Cover Letter
        • Career Books/Guides
        • LinkedIn - Social Media Job Search
        • Job Search
        • LinkedIn - Connect & Follow
        • Client Testimonials To Check Out
        • Connect & Follow on Facebook
You are here: Home / Resume Writing / 5 Things to De-Junk & Remove From Your Resume

5 Things to De-Junk & Remove From Your Resume

October 22, 2019 By Teena Rose

5 ways to NOT be a resume hoarder

As your career grows, you may feel like a resume hoarder as the number of job titles continue to grow in your resume.

There are professionals who want to keep everything, going with the mindset that “more is better.”

These folks avoid logic and oftentimes provide (what they think are) solid reasons on why they must keep “this, that, or the other” in their resumes.

I’m here to tell you that there are times when removing old jobs, internships, and so on, become an absolute necessity.

The best strategy is to write your resume as “lean and mean” as possible.

Here’s a typical conversation with a job seeker who won’t let things go:

Resume Writer: I noticed you have some old and irrelevant jobs in your resume, Sally. A resume generally covers about a 10-year timeline … and, how long your resume should be … experts say around two pages. Currently, your resume weighs in at four pages. 

Jobseeker: I’m okay with that. Keeping jobs from the 1980s and 1990s shows hiring managers my career progression. I know you’re trying to help, but please let’s keep those old jobs in my resume.

Then, a few weeks later, the conversation goes something like this:

Jobseeker: My resume isn’t getting attention. Why?

Resume Writer: Knowing what you know now, are you willing to revisit doing the nip/tuck I originally recommended?

Jobseeker: So you’re saying that I shouldn’t show career progression in my resume and that I should simply reflect my management jobs, and avoid showing hiring managers where I came from, how I landed where I am now?

Resume Writer: Keeping those very old jobs aren’t helping. Just getting a recruiter or hiring manager to SKIM a two-page resume is a huge challenge these days. Presenting them with a four-page resume can set you up for failure.

Not removing old and irrelevant career details from your resume can often work against you because your resume should be more about quality and less about quantity. 

I’ve seen professionals who’ve needed to get a degree from the “School of Hard Knocks,” before they’re open to solid resume writing advice, even from a 20-year resume writer like me.

Want to avoid being a resume hoarder? Here are 5 ways to rid yourself of excess within your resume:

1. Let those jobs go.

What should hit the cutting-room floor?

Start by examining and chopping out old, irrelevant, and short-term jobs when feasible. Don’t keep those because they are important to you. Keep them because they are important to who will read your resume and consider you for future employment. At this point, it’s probably safe to say jobs from the 1970s, 1980s, and yes, the 1990s should be banished from your resume.

2. Don’t “vomit” an intro/objective into your resume.

Your resume’s intro SHOULD NOT be a compilation of everything you’ve eaten (err, done).

Focus only on what’s important to your career move NOW – include no more, no less.

Specifically, don’t include software and soft skills within your intro statement.

If you’re a manager, don’t include support-level responsibilities – or when absolutely necessary, broad-stroke (minimal specifics) those job responsibilities.

Quick Resume Advice: Don’t “vomit” an intro statement into your resume says @teenarose [Click to Tweet]

3. Recognize that you have transitioned from having a job to having a career – and rewrite your resume accordingly.

Jobseekers should write about their best works; their best assets; their best skill sets; their best results.

Your resume should be the best representation of your career, so stop thinking of your resume as a chronological list of your job roles.

4. Do you remember that?

Training that you attended years and years ago are equivalent to wearing an old brown suit to an interview.

Big, big turn-off!

There comes a time when you must acquire fresh training so your skills become outdated and you are unable to compete.

5. Inactive memberships, lapsed executive board participation, and love of dogs.

You might be wondering, “Well, the hiring manager may call me for an interview because she’s a dog lover too?”

True.

But couldn’t that “bite” you too?

Maybe the hiring manager was once bitten by a dog?

Maybe she’s a cat-loving hiring manager?

Don’t presume that because you were once a member of XYZ industry organization or served as a board member of the local Humane Society that you’re going to get any preferential treatment.

So, here’s one last nugget of advice:

Critique every millimeter of your resume to avoid being a resume hoarder. Strategically map every word, every fragment, and every sentence. Talk the language of the hiring company to get a better return-on-investment (ROI).

Do you need more help with improving your resume?

If so, be sure to check out this free download containing my advanced resume writing techniques on how to get you more interviews.

Filed Under: Resume Writing

About Teena Rose

WRITING & COACHING SERVICES


» Resume Writing Services


» LinkedIn Profile Writing


» Outplacement Services


» Interview Coaching


» Downloads For You

MEET TEENA ROSE / RESUME WRITER & CAREER COACH

Do you need resume writing? Contact me to help with your resume.Hi, my name is Teena Rose. I've been writing resumes and coaching professionals since 1999.

For a professionally written, keyword-rich, and ATS-compliant resume, contact me via this online form and let's schedule a time to chat about your specific writing and coaching needs.

You can also reach me by phone @ (937) 325-2149.

CLICK TO GET HELP
  • Privacy
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Client Reviews
  • + More Reviews
  • Affiliate Program
  • Write For Us
  • Member Login

Copyright © 2022 Resume to Referral — Management & Executive Resume Writing & Career Coaching Services — Service Dayton, Ohio & Clients Worldwide