I've been compiling a list of components of resumes that are ineffective or annoying. I'm amazed on a daily basis at what apparent lack of effort candidates make in introducing themselves to prospective employers, responses to job postings or soliciting the assistance of a headhunter.
It seems common sense to approach this in a careful way, attempting to make a positive first impression on the resume's recipient. I bet that over 70% of the time, the candidate for one reason or another does not make a positive, powerful and professional first impression. Here are some of the things I like to see in resumes.
A personalized cover letter to me, letting me know that you've taken the time to find out about my company and what I do.
Fonts large enough to read and some white space surrounding them. Don't minimize your font size and maximize your margins to get as much copy as possible on that "one" page that everyone strives for.
URLs for the companies you've worked at. It's such a simple way of adding significant additional information to the document, I'm surprised more candidates don't do it.
Clients you've worked with. Whether you're creative, an account person or client side marketer, tell us the accounts you've worked on.
Quantified achievements . . . not your daily responsibilities. You must "Prove Value" by quantifying achievements.
Things I don't like seeing:
Sending a resume for a job that you're blatantly not qualified for . . . "just to see". Spare us all the time. If you don't really think you're qualified, hiring authorities and recruiters won't either!
Creatives, don't send a resume with just your employer's names on it, no matter how badly you hate resumes and want to rely on your book.
Embedding resumes into PDFs (because databases cannot parse those resumes) with samples of your portfolio. Send the PDF with a resume if you like, but send a separate resume file for database purposes.
Resumes available by following a link to a website. Hey, make it easy for the viewer. Chances are, your desired viewer won't waste the time going to the site, trying to find the resume link, then downloading the resume . . . Help your reader by making it as easy for them as possible!
Using "personal" email addresses that aren't professional. Create an email address that's as close to your name as possible, and use that for personal professional email correspondence.
Home phone numbers. If you have a cell phone number, use that as your principle contact number. If someone calls you about a job, enhance your chances of answering that call!
The goal of your resume is to introduce yourself to someone who doesn't know you, and be intriguing enough to demand a response from that person.