Resume questions!

[Kipper is King]

I'm a university student looking for work this summer. How acceptable is it to put "refererences availible upon request" on a resume? Or should I list them instead? Lastly, should I try to contain my resume to one page, or is it acceptable if it barely streches onto two pages?

Thanks!

[Rhettzky]

Originally Posted by Kipper is King

I'm a university student looking for work this summer. How acceptable is it to put "refererences availible upon request" on a resume? Or should I list them instead?

I always put available upon request. Then bring a seperate sheet with your references listed on it to the interview and bring multiple copies in case you are interviewed by a few people.

Lastly, should I try to contain my resume to one page, or is it acceptable if it barely streches onto two pages?

Try to keep it to one page if you can. However, some industries may need more information than others. Some would require lots of schooling, upgrading courses, safety accreditation, etc. These take up space and leaving them off could hurt your chances of getting the interview so don't shy from a second page.

[LChoy]

1. Make sure you spell available correctly, HR frowns on spelling mistakes
2. Usually, it’s ok to put “References available on requests,” at the end of the resume. However, it will save HR time (and put them in a better mood) if you put 1 contact down, followed by “Additional references upon request.” Otherwise, a separate reference page is good too.
3. 2 pages is acceptable. Mine is 3 pgs, but only because the 3rd page is a reference sheet. Try to use bullets and/or bold and have a sense of organization. If your 1 pg resume looks like a solid block of text, it’s not very easy to skim, and will most likely be rejected. Therefore, if it looks better, stretch it on to 2 pages (include page numbers and headers if applicable)



P.S. I'm not an HR person, they're probably the best to ask. Just experienced in the whole resume writing thing

[Kerplunk]

Originally Posted by Kipper is King

I'm a university student looking for work this summer. How acceptable is it to put "refererences availible upon request" on a resume? Or should I list them instead? Lastly, should I try to contain my resume to one page, or is it acceptable if it barely streches onto two pages?

Thanks!

I always put down "Available upon request" for references. The reason is that I don't want them phoning references until I have talked to them in an interview first, which shows interest on the part of both parties.

For a temp summer job, I'd be tempted to just alter formatting to keep it on one page, depending on what spills onto the second. If you were going for a more permanent/professional job, I'd say add extra info to make it more presentable on two.

Then again, resume writing has never been my strong suit....

[gottabekd]

I would expect most resumes span two pages. Probably best to keep it to two, unless it is a higher-level position where all sorts of schooling and experience are required.

And I don't think it is necessary to even say "References available upon request". I think that is assumed. Don't pass around your references' contact information for every job application you put it. If you have an interview, and they want references, have a sheet ready.

[Rhettzky]

Originally Posted by gottabekd

I would expect most resumes span two pages. Probably best to keep it to two, unless it is a higher-level position where all sorts of schooling and experience are required.

Actually, I just checked mine and it is two pages. I agree with gottabekd, just make it easy to read and make sure to have a couple of people you trust proof-read it. If you just graduated University ask one of your prof's, most are more than happy to give you a hand with that.

Also, doesn't the faculty offer some kind of resume writing/editing help? I went to SAIT 8-9 years ago and they had a group that would help you with this stuff.

[Kipper is King]

OK, so with a slightly smaller font (10 Arial instead of 10.5), I can get it down to one page if I put references "available upon request" and it still looks good. It would be awkward if I were to just have references on the second page, methinks.

[Swayze11]

I took this resume thing at career services at MRC. They always told me never to use a microsoft word template, because if they get a resume that is the same style/format as the next person that is applying it shows they just whipped it up real quick and didn't put much effort in.
-Try to keep the font size/style consistant as well.
-2 pages is fine.
-references are always "available upon request"
-if it is 2 pages make sure you have contact information on both pages just in case 1 page goes missing somehow.

[tvp2003]

Originally Posted by Swayze11

I took this resume thing at career services at MRC. They always told me never to use a microsoft word template, because if they get a resume that is the same style/format as the next person that is applying it shows they just whipped it up real quick and didn't put much effort in.
-Try to keep the font size/style consistant as well.
-2 pages is fine.
-references are always "available upon request"
-if it is 2 pages make sure you have contact information on both pages just in case 1 page goes missing somehow.

Yup, nothing is a bigger turnoff than receiving 20 resumes and having 10 of them look exactly the same...

[Flames89]

Depends on what type of job. Finance jobs don't want creativity in their resumes, just clean, simple, easy to read.

One page SHOULD be all you need unless you are an executive. Being able to summarize, be concise, and note the real issues/solutions will be regarded well.

Generally you need key words, as most resume banks are just searched for words to round down the number of candidates, next you can assume they take half the pile and just throw it away without looking at them, ...

There is NO need to put "references available upong request", we all know that!

[Iggy's Forehead]

I find the biggest thing is not to worry so much about the minute details of the resume. If you want to seperate yourself from every other name on a peice of paper, call a day or two later and ask for the person who interviewed you. When you get ahold of them, say, "Yes, it's Kipper is King, I had met with you yesterday about a job opening. I'm very interested and I'm curious if you have gotten a chance to take a further look at my resume?".

Works every time.

[Titan]

Be careful of a 10 font. That is getting pretty small. Try to edit you info to cut words. Remember you don't need full sentences. You want to see some white spaces on the page. I would go with one page and a reference sheet ready. Definately do References Available upon Request. Make sure you ask your references first and ask if they will give you a positive referral. Some places are prohibited from giving references and that may make you look bad. I put a footer on the pages to the effect of "Resume of Titan Page 1 of 2" so if one get lost they can track it down. Maybe consider a phone # as well.

Read the job posting and use the same words to describe the skills you have learned in your other jobs.

that's my two cents.

[Kerplunk]

Originally Posted by Titan

Read the job posting and use the same words to describe the skills you have learned in your other jobs.

This information should prbably go in the cover letter, since it's the first thing the employers usually read.

[Titan]

Originally Posted by Kerplunk

This information should prbably go in the cover letter, since it's the first thing the employers usually read.

Agreed, but doesn't hurt to reinforce the message in the descriptions of your past jobs/skills.

[Agamemnon]

Definitely keep it to one page for a low-level job (what are you... a superstar?)
Definitely don't use a Word resume template

[JiriHrdina]

Originally Posted by Rhettzky

I always put available upon request. Then bring a seperate sheet with your references listed on it to the interview and bring multiple copies in case you are interviewed by a few people.
.

Boom. This is the right answer. Shows you are prepared and considerate of making it as easy as possible for them to hire you.

Including them on your actual resume takes up too much room, but coming with a separate page all ready for them is impressive, and rarely done.

[llama64]

It's fine to make references available on request. Keep in mind that you're handing out the contact information of your references. It's only good form to keep some sort of control over where that information goes.

[schnee]

edited post: didn't refresh before replying... was repeating was llama64 said.

[tvp2003]

One other thing about resumes that I'll mention -- don't underestimate the value of hand delivering (i.e. not mailing or faxing) a clean, crisp resume printed on quality bond paper. It obviously won't get you the job alone, but when you're looking at a bunch of resumes that look like crap because they were faxed in (i.e. fuzzy copy, printed on regular, dull photocopy paper), yours will physically stand out from the others. When my wife interviewed with the City of Calgary (who gets hundreds of applications), the HR person actually mentioned this about her resume.

Depending on the job you're applying for, if you really want to impress, put the resume and cover letter in a full-size envelope with a computer printed mailing label to the recipient. It's a great way to differentiate yourself with your presentation and shows that you took the time to put in a serious application.

[CaramonLS]

New HR person here, but I'll give you some of my pet peeves and tips.

Quality paper is a big plus - nothing annoys me more than getting a flimsy piece of junk that is already ruined by the time I first lay eyes on it.

Don't list jobs you've done for a month or 2. I got a resume which listed 3 jobs, each of which the person worked at less than 3 months. Can you take a wild guess at where I decided to file that resume? Also, you better be prepared to provide a damned good reason(s) as to why this is the case, because I will ask you about it if I do decide to call you. A lot of people make this mistake. More is not better.

Also, relevancy - I really don't care if you worked at La Senza for a summer, unless that is all the work experience you have, or you are applying for a job which requires a similar skill set. I also don't need to see 10 jobs on a resume either. Cut it down.

Just be sure you don't put this on your resume:

"If you were an animal, what animal would you be" Their answer: "a bird." "If you could have one superpower, what would it be?" Their answer: "a force shield."

Yes, that was actually on a resume I reviewed the other day.

My personal resume has:

1) Contact info
2) Work experience (not a description of your job, but your accomplishments and skills learned)
3) Volunteer experience
4) Activities and Interests (including things like achievements, CPR, etc - it is a good ice breaker and you should include it)
5) References (I wont call unless I have you in for an interview first - but it makes things a lot easier, I include 3 on my resume)