Did I accidentally spray my resume with "Eau de Repulsive"?

[Amethyst Hunter]

Seriously, does it have some invisible taint on it that I am not aware of? Is it ugly? Does it say bad things on it in invisible ink that become visible under a blacklight or something? Am I just plain cursed by resume-demons and need an exorcism?

I've sent out at least a dozen of these damn things in the last oh, I don't know, six months? and have yet to receive ANY response. Oh wait - I did get one of those "fuck you very much" form letters from one joint. Even that much is amazing, actually. I'm coming to the conclusion that I am just unemployable in this state. That length of rope in the corner there is looking awfully good right about now... (just kidding...)

Here is the Plague as it currently stands on one page, personal info edited out:

[My name]
[My address]
[My phone number]
[My email]

Goal: Seeking employment in the [insert info here] industry. (I edit this part, depending on what the job listing is for)

Previous Work Experience:

[Employment at X Store, address/phone given]
[Dates employed]

-Accurate and efficient handling of cash and credit
-Knowledgeable and friendly customer service
-Stocking of shelves and maintenance of front end

[Employment at Y Store, address/phone given]
[Dates employed]

-Grooming and well-being of animals
-Knowledgeable and friendly customer service for both animals and owners
-Stocking of shelves and maintenance of shop
-Front-end and telephone customer assistance

Additional Skills:

-Typing speed: 55 WPM (this is only a guesstimate; I've no idea what the real speed is but this is probably accurate)
-Knowledge of computers and Internet (Again, another light BS - I know only just enough to get myself around, I can't do anything fancy)
-Good English writing skills (small articles written for two local newspapers while I was living in Florida, both of which were letters to the editor)

Education:

[My high school] – High School Diploma
[Address/phone given]

[My community college] - approximate dates attended (no diploma because I didn't graduate due to several major issues)
[Address/phone given]

References:

References are available upon request. (I was told by my friend - who made this resume because I know shit about doing them - that this wasn't necessarily a must on all resumes, and that so long as I had some I could provide it shouldn't be a big issue. It kind of is - about the only references I can use I can count on one hand, and most of them are former coworkers/maybe a manager or two, and I can't even remember everything about the reference that I might need - like last names or contact information or such.)


When I see a possible ad in the newspapers, I print out one of these little buggers, stick it in an envelope (didn't have a fax line hooked up till just recently) and mail it off...probably to where it ends up in the nearest office shredder to become future landfill material. Or recycled waste product. Either way, it don't do me any good. :(

[Bright_Star]

I think I know why you haven't recieved any responses:
1. You need to expand upon your experiences. There doesn't seem to be much there.
2. Typing speed-you ought to know your exact typing speed or this little white lie could bite you in the future
3. Computer Experience-you need to elaborate on the specifics on what you know. So if you can't do anything fancy then you don't have the experience in this area that they may be looking for. Again that could hurt you if you were to be ever instructed to provide proof of knowledge.
4. You didn't graduate from college so you shouldn't mention it at all. This would raise a red flag to potential employers.
5. Did you send out your resume with a cover letter? That's a must.
6. Don't rely on a friend to help you with a resume. It MUST be professional in appearance or employers will just not even bother to look at it. Take the time to do it right the 1st time. There are a lot of resources on the internet with creating resumes that are concise & to the point. Have someone who knows what they're doing help you out. You just can't throw this thing together & expect results. It takes SERIOUS work.
7. I can't tell but did you use bullet statements? IF you didn't then it's a must.
8. Each resume that you send out MUST be geared toward that particular company. You can't just send out "blanket" resumes to each company & expect call backs. It shows lack of consideration if you do that.
FINALLY you should make a concerted effort to make the best looking resume that you can. You want that job? Then show potential employers that you're serious & make the effort. I'm not saying that your resume is bad but that it needs work to make it better.

[Pedersen]

Okay, this is coming from someone who has just had the shortest job hunt of his life. Fate intervened, most definitely. But even still, there are some tips I can see that will help, I think.


I've sent out at least a dozen of these damn things in the last oh, I don't know, six months?


First off, 12 in 6 months is a paltry number. When I'm seriously on a job search, I send out 3 or 4 times that many in a week. Every week. And consider myself lucky to get two responses a month.


-Accurate and efficient handling of cash and credit
-Knowledgeable and friendly customer service
-Stocking of shelves and maintenance of front end
-Grooming and well-being of animals
-Knowledgeable and friendly customer service for both animals and owners
-Stocking of shelves and maintenance of shop
-Front-end and telephone customer assistance


Re-read these, but with a twist: Put the words "responsible for" in front of them. See how all of them make sense still?

Believe it or not, that is a problem. It doesn't say what you did, just what you were held accountable for. A couple of rewrites here will give you an idea:


Provided knowledgeable and friendly customer service.
Stocked shelves, maintained front end of store.
Groomed animals, performed animal husbandry.


See the difference? Actions, not responsibilities. What did you do? If you can put "Responsible for" in front of a bullet point, it's a bad point (unless you were a manager, and even then it probably is).


-Typing speed: 55 WPM (this is only a guesstimate; I've no idea what the real speed is but this is probably accurate)
-Knowledge of computers and Internet (Again, another light BS - I know only just enough to get myself around, I can't do anything fancy)
-Good English writing skills (small articles written for two local newspapers while I was living in Florida, both of which were letters to the editor)


Special skills? Change them to actionable things. "Sustain typing speed of 55 WPM" sounds better, I think.

Make this resume all about you, and what you do, and how what you do improves the company that hires you. That's the point of the resume, to make them ask "How in the hell can we live without this person?"

Honestly, yours doesn't, not yet.

[Boozy]

You probably accomplished something more substantial in your jobs. Did you suggest and implement a system to make things run smoother? Were you ever recognized as employee of the month, or have you won any sales incentives? How were the stores better off with you there?

Don't emphasize what you had to do (your job responsibilities). Emphasize what you didn't need to do but did anyways. Tell them how you went above and beyond.

Are there significant gaps in your employment history? If so, use your cover letter to explain them. Just don't get too personal.

Remove the "Goal" part of your resume. If you change it according to the job your applying for, its not really a goal of yours - and trust me, you're not likely fooling anyone.

[Amethyst Hunter]

After reading these responses, it's pretty clear:

I'm fucked. :cry:

Even if I did make the changes that have been suggested, there's no way I can explain:

1) my gaps in employment, which are due to mental illness and just plain being unable to get *any*thing,
2) most of the jobs I have had have not been 'official', meaning, I was not hired in such a way that it would be possible to have documented it, and I can't provide any proof that I was working during those times - also, I *can't* remember or find pertinent contact information *at all*,
3) my education which pretty much amounts to squat; the only thing I have that's worth anything is my HS diploma, and even that's not much in this day and age of "we want college graduates" (and even THAT's no guarantee!) - I wound up in community college mainly because I had no idea what I was going to do so all I really took there was the required stuff and a few junk courses that were easy credits. I can't honestly say that I learned anything of real value during my time there, and as for not graduating, that too is partly because of the mental BS.

Yes. That rope over there is looking miiiiiiiiighty fine indeed. :(

Thanks anyway, guys.

[Pedersen]

Ah, someone who has yet to learn the fine art of BS'ing on a resume.

No, I'm not saying to lie. But part of the trick is to make it look like you were the only reason the place of employment managed to stay standing. To do that, you have to be somewhat creative.

Remember, never lie. Don't even exaggerate. But do learn to leave out things that will hinder, and learn to phrase things in such a way that you look like solid gold plated in platinum with some diamond studs for appendages.

Now, on to your specific items:

1) my gaps in employment, which are due to mental illness and just plain being unable to get *any*thing,

So, in other words, you had to take extended time away from work due to extensive medical issues that have since been resolved? Why is that a problem?

2) most of the jobs I have had have not been 'official', meaning, I was not hired in such a way that it would be possible to have documented it, and I can't provide any proof that I was working during those times - also, I *can't* remember or find pertinent contact information *at all*,

In other words, you were hired by these companies, but paid in ways that you didn't approve of (i.e.:under the table), which resulted in your having to find other work in fairly short order?

3) my education which pretty much amounts to squat; the only thing I have that's worth anything is my HS diploma, and even that's not much in this day and age of "we want college graduates" (and even THAT's no guarantee!) - I wound up in community college mainly because I had no idea what I was going to do so all I really took there was the required stuff and a few junk courses that were easy credits. I can't honestly say that I learned anything of real value during my time there, and as for not graduating, that too is partly because of the mental BS.

In other words, while you were able to complete high school while dealing with some of the aforementioned medical issues, tackling college courses and those same issues proved too much for you so you had to drop out? And you'd go back to finish a degree if only you had the money to do so?

It's all in the phrasing. Hell, even if a hooker wanted to go straight, she wouldn't claim to be a hooker, she'd claim to have been in her own professional escort services business.

I didn't provide a complete checklist for how to change your bullet points, but I did give ideas. Use them.

[Irving Patrick Freleigh]

Goal: Seeking employment in the [insert info here] industry. (I edit this part, depending on what the job listing is for)

Cut this if all you're going to do is insert the industry the company you're applying to happens to be in. That can have the look like you're just sending out resumes and cover letters to every place near you.


Previous Work Experience:

[Employment at X Store, address/phone given]
[Dates employed]

-Accurate and efficient handling of cash and credit
-Knowledgeable and friendly customer service
-Stocking of shelves and maintenance of front end

[Employment at Y Store, address/phone given]
[Dates employed]

-Grooming and well-being of animals
-Knowledgeable and friendly customer service for both animals and owners
-Stocking of shelves and maintenance of shop
-Front-end and telephone customer assistance

This probably is not helping you either. All it shows is you can do the minimal functions expected of you in the job. As mentioned before, companies are big on special accomplishments, or examples of where you went above and beyond to increase sales, improve efficiency, or some such thing. Basically you have to give the person reading your resume reason to call you for an interview instead of one of the many other applicants.


Additional Skills:

-Typing speed: 55 WPM (this is only a guesstimate; I've no idea what the real speed is but this is probably accurate)
-Knowledge of computers and Internet (Again, another light BS - I know only just enough to get myself around, I can't do anything fancy)
-Good English writing skills (small articles written for two local newspapers while I was living in Florida, both of which were letters to the editor)

Depending on what the job is, these are minimum requirements you should meet anyway and not really worth space on a resume. Additionally, you will probably have to prove these things through a typing test, an excel test, and maybe a proofreading exercise (During my last job search I got hit with all three of these).


When I see a possible ad in the newspapers, I print out one of these little buggers, stick it in an envelope (didn't have a fax line hooked up till just recently) and mail it off...probably to where it ends up in the nearest office shredder to become future landfill material.

In other words, sending out resumes and cover letters to anyplace you can, without doing some research and tailoring the resume and cover letter to the company you're applying to. This is big no-no and hiring managers frown on this sort of thing.


1) my gaps in employment, which are due to mental illness and just plain being unable to get *any*thing,

As Pedersen suggested, address that in your cover letter and just call it "medical issues." There is no need for you to come out and say it was due to mental issues, and it is probably inappropriate for an interviewer to ask you specifically what those medical issues were, should you get to that point.

I wish you luck. You have the beginnings of a good resume, you just need to learn to play to your strengths, downplay your weaknesses, and phrase things more actively.

[rerant]

The only jobs I've held are cashiering jobs and weak promo jobs, wherein only one was worth putting on my resume as it was for a large media company there in Toronto.

Thankfully I can BS my way through anything.
Feel free to pilfer anything from my resume.

Rerant Lastname
123 Fake St. Apt. 1
Toronto, Ontario
Postal Code
Home number
Mobile number
Email address

Objective

To gain a (snipped out) position where I may put my desire to help others to use and acquire valuable experience that will prove helpful in the future, as I have goals of working in the field of social work. (Ok so my objective is lame but I was looking for side work to help with my eventual career goal.)

Experience
Cashier
Furniture Store
2005 - Current

Provide excellent customer service with speed and knowledge of products, store services and promotions, as well as policies and procedures
Developed the skill of working under pressure
Cross trained in more than one department, due to my knowledge of the store as a whole
Able to assist customers in all areas
Received several compliments to the store from customers and fellow coworkers who were pleased with my service
Frequently assist with opening/closing tasks
Responsible for the training of new coworkers
Handled cash, credit and debit transactions and balanced cash drawer at end of shift

Promotions Representative
Media Name
August 20 - Sept 3, 2007
Location

Actively promoted the Media Name website, as well as drew in visitors at the Location to Other Branch of Media Name as well as the Media Name newspaper.
Provided Location visitors with the option to enter contests on behalf of Media Name
Took photos of visitors and walked them through the rules and regulations of the contests, as well as provided them with information on the company (Media Name) I was representing
Represented Media Name in a fun, outgoing, yet professional manner

Cashier/Returns Associate
Big Box Store
2004 - 2003

Developed a strong understanding of a fast paced retail environment
Was recommended for a CSM (Customer Service Manager) position
Worked other departments stocking shelves and aiding customers
Responsible for the training of new coworkers
Quickly and efficiently provided excellent service for both register transactions and returns and exchanges
Handled cash, credit and debit transactions and balanced cash drawer at end of shift

Education

College
2005 - 2007
Journalism

Applicant to Different College for the Fall 2008 semester for the Social Service Worker program

Related Skills and Abilities

Ability to multi-task and provide excellent customer service.
Experienced in fast-paced work environments and able to work well under pressure with a calm and professional demeanor.
Motivated and able to work flexible hours.
Works well in group settings

References

References are available on request


It's not the greatest, but I've somehow make my boring little jobs sound better.

[Amethyst Hunter]

So, in other words, you had to take extended time away from work due to extensive medical issues that have since been resolved? Why is that a problem?


Here's the thing. These mental 'issues' ARE NOT resolved. They likely never will be. This is due to a combination of my not being able to afford resources (or only sporadically) to treat them and the fact that my particular brand is *permanent* (i.e., it's something I was born with and is etched in stone into my genetic code), to the point where it can't help but affect my work in subtle but very noticeable ways. I very nearly got canned from my last job (and it would have been deservedly so, don't get me wrong) because of one of these things.

Also, whether it's fair or not, legal or not, people (i.e., employers) DO discriminate against those with mental illness. It's just an unavoidable fact of life. Hell, because of the university shootings we just had little over a week ago there is now a renewed debate over whether or not mentally ill people - who may or may not possess violent tendencies - should be allowed to own guns. (See y'all over at Fratching for future mentions on such topics)

In other words, you were hired by these companies, but paid in ways that you didn't approve of (i.e.:under the table), which resulted in your having to find other work in fairly short order?


No - well, one case possibly excepted, but that's a LONG story. Addressing the main point, no, it wasn't that. It was more along the lines of verbal "want a job, get paid in cash" kind of thing. Or on a temporary basis that exempted me from having to fill out paperwork that others probably would have had to do.

Getting back to that one 'exception', as best I can sum up is this: The owner of that business (which is now no more due to repeated bankruptcy) had a strong tendency towards shady and even flat-out illegal business practices, which one of my parents (who was employed there at the same time but for much longer than I was) found out the hard way. (Said parent *could not* notify proper authorities because Business Guy would've made life even worse, believe me) Even if I had BG's contact info - which I don't and can't get - I would have very serious reservations about using him as a reference because I just don't trust that he would offer anything worthwhile that would help me out. He's a crooked SOB, so the less we ever have to do with him from here on out the better, as far as I'm concerned.

In other words, while you were able to complete high school while dealing with some of the aforementioned medical issues, tackling college courses and those same issues proved too much for you so you had to drop out? And you'd go back to finish a degree if only you had the money to do so?


I don't think that I would, even if I had money (which believe me I don't). For one thing, I still have no idea what I want to do or what I could tolerate, given my physical and mental status at present. Second, I have SERIOUS problems with math to the point where NO tutoring on earth could help me pass those courses (just now I was about to type "curses", which is pretty damn accurate too LOL), and just about every school around *requires* some type of math that is impossible for me to even scrape a D- average in, or worse, *requires* a set number of prerequisite math courses before getting into the one that would count for anything (this was the roadblock I ran into at community college; even if I hadn't had mental problems then it would have still killed any attempt at a degree - when I found that out I was livid and basically said 'fuck this shit, it's not worth the misery and the money').

even if a hooker wanted to go straight, she wouldn't claim to be a hooker, she'd claim to have been in her own professional escort services business.


Which is really just code for "hooker." ;) I don't know how often employers read between the lines, but I know I do, heh.

[Pedersen]

Unfortunately, you missed the major point of my writings, so I'll say it differently: My "In other words" comments were spin for you.

Mental health issues are still ongoing? Okay, change the spin.

In other words, you have had severe medical issues which are still ongoing, but for which you are currently seeking treatment? They have been problems in the past, but are coming under control now?

Getting paid under the table: Tell the truth. You did it because you didn't have any other choice. You wanted honest work, but the work you could find left you without usable references. Use the spin I provided, and it sounds even better.

School: Change the spin again.

In other words, the ongoing medical issues created major conflicts with college, and so you had to leave the post secondary education. Now that you've had more life experience, you're not at all sure that the college was the right choice for you. However, if you found the right college, and had found that the course offerings matched your goals, you would consider returning to college for a degree.

Note that none of this is a lie. But you have to admit that it sounds a helluva lot better than what you've put down, doesn't it?

Oh, and of course employers try to read between the lines. That's part of the resume reading process, since a critical component of any job is communication. If you can polish those turds in your resume until someone else believes they are gold, then you have a leg up on the competition, because employers need people who can do just that sort of thing, especially in larger companies (where a single hiring manager needs to have underlings who can make him/her look good more so than in smaller companies).

One final note: We all always have choices. Always. For instance, for you, you have a choice right now in what to do next. You could (again) point out the shortcomings of my spin, and therefore avoid letting it help you in any way, shape, or form. Or you could see it as a starting point, a way to help you spin your life's accomplishments into something that employers want.

I'll help you spin things around. I'm not too keen on helping you shoot all the starting points down, though. Honestly, there's much better things I can be doing with my time than coming up with yet more ideas to be ripped apart.

[Amethyst Hunter]

Unfortunately, you missed the major point of my writings, so I'll say it differently: My "In other words" comments were spin for you.

Getting paid under the table: Tell the truth. You did it because you didn't have any other choice. You wanted honest work, but the work you could find left you without usable references. Use the spin I provided, and it sounds even better.

Note that none of this is a lie. But you have to admit that it sounds a helluva lot better than what you've put down, doesn't it?


Okay, *now* I get what you were trying to say. :o Sometimes I really do need things spelled out for me in order to understand them better (and yes, this is part of my oddball makeup). Thanks for clarifying.

[Pedersen]

Sometimes I really do need things spelled out for me in order to understand them better (and yes, this is part of my oddball makeup). Thanks for clarifying.

You're welcome. And now that I know that, I'll be more explicit in my responses for you to try and help out.

What you've said sounds like one of the issues is Asperger's, or some variety thereof. Am I close? (and feel free to tell me to go pound sand and that it's none of my business at all) The only reason I ask is that it might help me better tailor my responses for you.

I can't help you deal with it personally, but I can at least do better in how I speak with you to help you deal better with me.

I've got to get to work, but I'll visit this thread after work and try to spin up your resume even more.

[Amethyst Hunter]

What you've said sounds like one of the issues is Asperger's, or some variety thereof.

Possibly - though I don't know for certain as I've never been tested. I am 99% sure, however, that I do have attention deficit disorder (which both my brother and father (undiagnosed and untreated; he's the 'old-school' type that refuses to admit to any such thing, unfortunately) have and I suspect my late grandfather on my dad's side had it as well; my brother's was primarily the hyperactive type so he was diagnosed and treated early on, whereas mine was not because it's the hypoactive kind that's branded "space case," and the term is very apt, I assure you, at least in my case), though I didn't realize it until my late 20s (and by then of course the damage had already been done).

I've always had a lot of trouble in things that most 'normal' people seem to be able to cope with just fine, but I was never able to put two and two together until I was diagnosed with severe chronic depression almost 8 years ago and did a lot of reading-up on that and related subjects - and when ADD came up it was like something 'clicked' ("oho, THAT'S what's wrong with me!").

Currently I'm not on medication for either ailment, for two reasons: 1) can't afford it, and 2) in the case of the ADD, I *don't* want to go on meds just to regulate something that I think is a natural part of me and, although it's brought me a helluva lot of grief in my lifetime, is also responsible for some interesting things that were all but torpedoed during the brief time that I was on medication (Adderall) - I liked the extra energy boost it gave me (though I had to mind the dosage; past a certain point all it did was make me sick as a dog), but my mind just wasn't familiar to me anymore, if that makes any sense. Other folks with ADD have varying reactions to meds, ranging from "yeah gotta have it" to "hell no get it away from me", so individual mileage varies.

Getting back to the whole resume thing, I spotted another potential ad tonight, so I'll spend some time playing with the Paperwork Trainwreck and try to reword it using your suggestions. :)

Edit: I should add that as far as the depression stuff goes, I'm pretty sure the worst of that would clear up if my general situation improved - as bad as it is right now, it was WAY worse before I was first diagnosed (I was having anxiety attacks and suicidal thoughts en masse). I still have such thoughts, but I've learned that if I just ride the bad pits out it goes away eventually (no fun in the meantime, but it does pass). So feel free to ask me anything about that or the ADD, I'm perfectly happy to talk about it (and will probably bombard you with text galore - I'm wordy like that. XD ).

[cj1991]

I'm not sure where you live, but where I live (in the US, in the Northeast), we have county-run agencies called MHMR (Mental Health, Mental Retardation). They offer free help in many areas - obtaining jobs is just one. They contract with many people, so while they may not be the ideal jobs, they should be able to find you something you are capable of doing.

Also, you may want to check with your local OVR (Office Of Vocational Rehabilitation) or Unemployment Office. I'm pretty sure you'd clarify for help from at least one of them.

Hang in there, and good luck!

[Cutenoob]

AH:
Hello, and welcome to the Universe of Somewhat Functional Oh Is That a Butterfly....

You stated earlier that you have a lot of gaps in your work history. So do I. In fact, most of my jobs have been me getting fired just after I get insurance :) (thanks, Murphy.)

In the field I'm seeking jobs in - I'm very needed. But at the same time I'm also seeking mental health treatments, Cognitive Behavior Therapy, and trying to tune up myself so that I can get along with the rest of the working stiffs.

Personally, Pedersen has helped a lot with the resume, and I think he's right. So I'll chime in here on the Personal Half of you. GET THE HELP. No ifs ands or buts. Period. Your quality of life depends on it- so does mine.

I got so farking tired of getting canned and getting fired and losing jobs and hunting for jobs, I finally said ok thats enough. What am I doing so badly that the longest Ive ever had a job is 2 years and the shortest is 2 weeks????

The last job I had was pretty good insurance wise, and I decided to continue the insurance through COBRA. I need the counseling. Period. I need to keep up with my meds. Period. I need to be a better Cutenoob, period.

If you're currently unemployed, I want you to march your hiney down to the local clinic and ask about mental health services. There are programs for low incomen/ no income people. Ask around. Push for it. City clinics, colleges, low income clinics, even places like AA MIGHT know someone who can help.

You need to get employed, yes. You need to work on AH, yes. You can do it, yes.

I keep a journal, and when I'm getting upset/weirded out/unhappy, I write it out. I also exercise (walk, its free) 3x a week. I take medicine to stop my seizures, work on my depression AND work on my thyroid. I think once my thyroid's ironed out, that will help me a lot with my moods.

I talk to my friends a lot. I'm reading a book called "The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People" and that's actually helping me identify some of my issues. (I've already got my moods/depression tampered down, it's really childhood crap)

The biggest part here is that I am WILLING and CHOOSING to work on it. Thats what it really boils down to.

But being biochemically imbalanced and not getting it seen to? Bad call IMO.


Cutenoob
PM me if you want to chat, i'm around.

[digilight]

As someone who as seen quit a few resume's over the years and had to help my wife, BIL and SIL create theirs when they needed to get a new job as well as several years ago I had to create a resume for my current job. We were doing a presentation for a US Govt project and needed to include our resume's in with it. So my boss, myself, and our CAD guy all had to do resumes. Here are some hopefully helpful pointers to you and anyone else looking to get out in the market.

1. You are trying to sell yourself in about 30 seconds. You need the basics, but you also need to tell them what you can do. Are there any special duties that you were responsible for that need emphasis. How about any thing with your education, a class that may add any type of interest? Any special training at any job that would hold any merit with a future employer.

2. Spelling and grammer count. Anytime we advertised for a job opening we would trash any app or resume with spelling and grammer mistakes. I have horrible spelling myself, but when you are making a first impression, make it perfect.

3. Know what you are applying for. We would post jobs for a part time book keeper and get resumes from former CFO's looking for 75K a year. Or we would look for a press operator and get people bragging about how profficient they were in Paintshop pro but no mention of a press or other printshop experience. these were also all tossed

4. Make it an easy, smooth, fluid read. You want people to be able to glance at it and see the relevent parts. You don't want them to have to have to read it intensilly to find out that you have a certain skill, or to find out where your skill set is.

5. You want it to be noticed and stand out in their mind. Now don't confuse this with thinking that using a cursive font, or cute little teddy bears is allright. You want easy to read font's and good formating. Where you can stand out from the crowd is your paper selection.

6. Paper selection. Don't pick a 20 pound colored paper. Don't do something like bright pink. Choose a subtible business paper. Something in a linen or a laid or a classic columns (these are papers that your local copy shops, most office supply stores, and kinko's will know about. Classic collumns has collumns down the paper as a texture, linen has a smoother almost herringbone type pattern that you can still feel, and laid has a rougher texture similar to a brickwork pattern. If you are mailing them I wouldn't recomend the laid though (it tends to rub off the toner at times). Go with a solid color, but not to dark. Everyone will be doing either cream or natural white (another creamy color). I would suggest a light gray, just so it stands out slightly. If you have a paper store like Kelly Paper in your area you can see samples there.