It’s Matt back again, if you are reading this so are you! First, a report on how my blog is being received. I checked the ratings, and my last one about the Veterans Job fair is a 5! I can explain one of the 5’s (Hey If I didn’t rate myself, you would be disappointed) but I am baffled by the positive comments that were posted by my public. In the immortal words of Sally Field accepting her Oscar: “You love me!” Obviously those words are important to me.

Words can have different meanings and connotations.  I still remember as a kid, my mother asking my father if he had taken a shower. His response was, of course…..”Why is there one missing?” I suspect that wasn’t the response dear old Mom was looking for.  You need to be careful when you have to be careful, and you can be playful when the situation will allow, but you should know the difference. Ever wonder why you “take” a nap, but “go to” sleep? Isn’t that the same thing??? But I digress…….

Nowhere are words more important than on your resume. Unlike, my blogs, where most of you will assume that anyone as talented, witty, and insightful as I, couldn’t possibly be expected to spell correctly too, potential employers put a lot of stock in that.  So some random thoughts to make your resume better:

• Spell check is not your friend.  There, Their, I know that may be hard to accept, but it has no problem with this sentence. Your next boss may. Be your own spell check. Remember it is checking for the most part for spelling and not correct usage. The grammar check, may catch it, but don’t bet you next job on it. Try reading it backwards, you will pick spelling errors that way fairly easily.
• Watch your punctuation. You have to know your limitations, one of mine is that I tend to use, a lot, of commas. Sometimes, I may actually use, too many. I have, my wife, Susan, look at things, to point out where I may, only may, mind you, have been excessive.  (She obviously hasn’t had a whack at this little ditty!) Seriously, always good to get another set of eyes on it.
• Translate your experience properly. Sounds easy, but it is not. This is especially true if you are coming out of the Military. It is critical that you “civilianize” your resume so it can be understood by all. There is probably a whole blog in me on this topic, but for now just know that if you were kicking down doors in Iraq, and THANK YOU if you were, then you may want to detail your leadership and adaptability skills, instead of detailing your experience with alternative forms of building entry.

 So if you remember only one thing from this pithy monologue, remember that your resume is in many cases the deciding factor in whether you ever get an interview or job. If it’s sloppy then they will assume you are to! (get it?)

Until next time comment or follow me on twitter, at @KHCO00 (That’s KHCO zero zero)

Take care,

Matt