#5  DON’T :  The GPA

You studied. You worked diligently. You made the Dean’s List. You graduated college with a 4.0, a perfect grade point average (GPA).  Congratulations, this outstanding achievement shows character. Ten years pass and once again you have achieved excellence by focusing on your career, growing and reaching exceptional goals.  Yet, you still feel the need to list your GPA on your resume.

Simply put, don’t list your GPA.  Once you have several years of work  experience, it’s time to remove your  GPA from your resume and let go of your past academic success and focus on your professional endeavors.   At this point in your career, your work experience speaks more to your skills and capabilities rather than your college GPA.  Use the space on your resume to provide information about your professional accomplishments and how your skill set will contribute to a company’s bottom line.

#6  DON’T :  High School Education

Congratulations!  You graduated high school…7, 12, or maybe 18 years ago.  That’s great, but when reviewing your resume, I need to know what sets you apart from other applicants. What other types education and/or relevant (and more recent) training have you received?

Education, training, degrees and certifications are important.  In many cases, a position’s requirements will include specific certifications or degrees.  In general, listing your high school diploma or experience is not necessary.  Typically, it is not relevant and just takes up resume space.

I’m amazed when I see a professional’s resume include a high school degree.  With the hundreds of resumes I review for a position, I don’t want or need to see your high school information, and that includes your extracurricular activities.  In addition, common sense says your educational and training experience has helped you succeed this far, and chances are you graduated from high school.

Keeping in mind there are some exceptions, you might include your high school diploma information if you are:

• Currently enrolled in high school (list anticipated graduation date).
• Currently taking college courses and do not have a professional background.
• Applying for an internship while in college.
• A recent high school graduate and you are not attending college.
• Submitting your resume for a position that list high school degree required and that is your highest level of education.

If you have work experience, use your valuable resume space to list your degree(s) and relevant certifications and training.  In order for you to progress through the application process and receive an interview opportunity, the reviewer needs to see information explaining why your education and training experience is unique and right for the position.

 #7  DON’T :  The Objective

Want to relive the 80’s?  List an Objective on your resume.  Unfortunately, it may date your job hunting research, or show you did not do your research.  During the 80’s and early 90’s, the Objective statement was how we introduced ourselves on resumes.  It identified the position you wanted.

In today’s marketplace, it is more effective to use a Summary or Professional Summary. It gives an overview of your experience, transferable skills, and how you will contribute to an organization.  Which introduction will capture the eye of a hiring manager or human resources professional, provide relevant information, and tell your story?

Objective

Utilize business, marketing, sales, and negotiating skills in the pharmaceutical/biotechnology industry and successfully contribute to a Sales Organization’s bottom line. 

 Professional Summary

Entrepreneurial oriented sales and marketing professional with 12+ years experience in the pharmaceutical/biotechnology industry complimented by strong background in proven leadership, sales, and account management.  Analytical problem solver focused on turning business opportunities into new programs and new markets that generate long-term growth and profits.    Skilled communicator, able to influence medical professionals and executive level decision-makers through presentations and written proposals.

Question:  Which introduction will make the reader want to learn about you and what you have to offer?

Answer:  The Professional Summary.

Do you agree?

Our next discussion will share the #6 Resume DON’T

• What do I enjoy doing? What am I qualified to do? What are my transferable skills?
• What type of environment and culture do I want to work in?
• What industry interest me and why?
• How can I tie what I enjoy doing to the industry of interest?
• What are some of my transferable skills for that industry? How can I become more qualified?
• Who do I know in that industry? Who do I know that knows someone in that industry?
• What companies can I target that appeal to me and use my transferable skills?
• Who can I network with to get my foot in the door?
• On LinkedIn, does anyone in my network work with those companies?
• What Groups on LinkedIn will help me network and become more familiar with the industry, position, or employers?

Using these questions as a starting point, begin brainstorming. Then, create an action plan based upon your answers. As you expand your network, opportunities will surface. When you act on those opportunities, doors will open.

What Recruiters Look at During The 6 Seconds They Spend on Your Resume by Vivian Giang on BusinessInsider,com

5 Lessons from mike Wallace’s LIfe for All of Us by Forbe’s Contributor, Eric Jackson

What Recruiters Look at During The 6 Seconds They Spend on Your Resume by Vivian Giang on BusinessInsider,com.

7 Things You Should Never Do During An Interview by Donna Fuscaldo on BusinessInsider.com.

Best and Worst Jobs of 2012 on WSJ.com

5 New Ways to Network (That You Won’t Dread) posted by the Daily Muse on Forbes.com

SWP Associates, Inc also posted several jobs last week.

Senior Attorney

International Tax Manager

If you have an interesting link to share, post it to our Facebook Fan Page or send me a tweet!

Staci Witten

Job Search Coach

In the next few postings, we will explore resume suggestions and social media techniques that will help you get the call for your next interview!

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