Resume Writer Matthew Greene

Resume Tips:

Don't Fax Your Resume!

Do you fax your resume to employers without giving it a second thought?   Well, it happens to be the worst way of introducing yourself to a critical reader!   In fact, it is often fatal.

Even on plain paper, faxed resumes look awful and are awkward to handle.    Whenever possible, try to avoid sending yours by fax.

The awful truth is that faxed resumes are screened out twice as fast as those that arrive in the mail!   A recruiter who spends 30 seconds in scanning a mailed resume, will only have 15 seconds of patience with a faxed one.    This explains why more than 95% of faxed resumes end up in file C –the circular file!

In order to fax it to a recruiter quickly, you will ruin your first impression — the laser printing and high quality resume paper you should always use.

So, what's the rush? Speed is only necessary for junior-level vacancies which can be filled almost immediately.   For most other positions, the hiring process takes from one to six weeks!

Instead of a "suicidal" fax, hand-deliver your resume or "snail mail" it in a 9" x 12" envelope so that it arrives unfolded.

If you must fax your resume, there's a lot you can do to improve your chances and avoid being trashed:

Since you need to impress the reader of a faxed resume in 15 seconds or less, the first 10-15 lines of your resume are crucial — mainly the JOB OBJECTIVE and SUMMARY sections.   These should "sell" your track record, accomplishments, skills and abilities.

In a faxed resume, bulleted "selling-points" are better than long, run-on sentences or gray paragraphs that tend to look like mashed potatoes.

Anything important should jump out at the reader.    Attention-getters such as borders, bullets, bolds and underlines are also more important in a faxed resume.

[Note: The purpose or role of BULLETS in a job resume is often misunderstood. A bullet is a valuable attention-getting device -- round black dots, arrows or asterisks. But many resumes contain 20-50 of them. That is a mistake! By highlighting so many lines, you will FAIL to draw attention to ANY line. Guaranteed. (Unfortunately, many resume templates are bullet ridden like this!)
Bullets should only be used to draw an employer's attention to a FEW of your most important skills or facts such as the 5-9 selling points in your SUMMARY and your ACCOMPLISHMENTS. Attention getters have an important role to play in your resume -- to sell you. Use them sparingly but wisely.
For the purpose of guiding the reader's eyes, rather use a - (dash) or . (period).]

Your JOB OBJECTIVE should state not only what you are seeking but what you are offering. For example, your A-grades, track record in sales or strong communications and problem-solving skills. These are your first sales "hooks".

Next add a bulleted SUMMARY — 6-10 selling points that cover your education, experience, achievements, skills and abilities. Each bullet must back up or support your JOB OBJECTIVE. (It's what people write in a cover letter.)

Your achievements and accomplishments should be indented to make them stand out. Don't bury these in the body copy which a busy reader might easily overlook.

Finally, to fax or not to fax your resume? Try your utmost to avoid faxing it. However, if you must, always follow up a fax with a hard copy of your resume — hand-delivered or by mail. It's good "insurance".

"Smart" Resume Bullets >>

E-mail or call me for a free consultation or price quote.

mattgreene@aol.com
Tel.: 718 436-3504

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