The Answers To Your Common Resume Questions

When it comes to updating a Resume, very few people can simply hop in and write it so easily.  

So, if you’re having trouble, don’t worry. Remember…you’re not alone.

Together, let’s review some of the common questions people have about resumes and the resume process. These are the types of problems that slow people down as they try to write their resumes and struggle through developing quality content. 

1. Should I Put Hobbies & Interest On A Resume?

I’m sorry but the answer to this question is no in my professional opinion. We already know that hiring managers don’t have much time on their hands and adding unnecessary details only means you have less space for the content that’s going to show your key accomplishments, successes, and skills. 

No, It’s not necessary to include your interests and hobbies when preparing a professional resume but it may help a Resume in a number of situations, Only when you have little or no job experience, you don’t have many relevant skills for the position you’re looking for, You have a limited educational background, The company you’re applying for particularly requests that candidates list their hobbies and interests or if they aggressively seek candidates with distinct character features and personalities, and if Duties related to your interests and hobbies are included in the job description.

Now, if you really wish to include your hobbies and interests or you’re applying for a creative position. Keep in mind that some companies prefer resumes with hobbies on them since it offers the hiring manager a more complete picture of the candidate as a person. Therefore, if you chose to include interests and hobbies, make sure that the things you mention add value to your resume and aren’t distracting or negative in nature. 

Here’s what you should keep in mind when including interests and hobbies in your resume

• Excessively vast or ambiguous interests
• Reckless or unlawful interests or hobbies
• Interests or hobbies in which you do not actively participate
• Hobbies or interests related to religion, politics, or sexuality
• Interests or hobbies stated in a potentially misunderstood manner

2. Should You List Your Extracurricular Activities, Sports, and Hobbies in Your Resume?

Yes, when you’re writing a high school or early college resume. Specifically, Extracurricular activities may be a terrific addition to your Resume, especially if you are a current student or an entry-level prospect. Extracurricular activities are any structured, continuous activities that you participated in while in school but not as an academic obligation. After you gain job experience, you can choose to have these sections removed from your resume. 

By Listing extracurricular activities on a resume, it might provide you with an advantage over other applicants as you showcase that you have an actual experience relevant to the position. Choosing which extracurricular activities to mention in your resume begins with determining the specific skills necessary for the career you want to apply for. Examining the job ad for necessary abilities will help you determine which extracurricular activities you should include.

Where to put extracurriculars on a resume

The placement of your extracurricular activities on your resume is influenced by the type of skills you gained from each activity. It’s also vital to think about how effectively these activities prepared you for the job and how long you engaged in them.

 You can include your extracurricular activities in the:

The education section

The education section of your resume is the best way to quickly mention extracurricular activities in which you participated but were not a prominent member since this part is best suited to broad experience earned in academic-type groups.

These extracurricular activities enhance the skills learned in school and demonstrate that you have a high degree of participation and enthusiasm in those areas.

The experience section

If your extracurricular activities were suitable with the duties or time commitment responsibilities of a part-time or full-time work, it may be beneficial to put them in the experience section. This section of your resume is also appropriate for extracurricular activities that assisted you in developing particular and relevant abilities specified in the employment criteria of a position. When applying for entry-level or starter employment, demonstrating past experience without having previously worked in the business is advantageous. 

A dedicated section

You may dedicate an entire section to showcasing your extracurricular activities. Keep in mind that this is only a good idea if the specified activities are still relevant to the position(s) you’re applying for.

3. How many job positions should you list on your resume?

You should mention all of your previous positions that are relevant to the role you are applying for. Most may include job positions from the last 15 years on their resume. 

You are not required to list every job you have ever held on your Resume. Hiring managers want a resume that is brief, well-organized, and simple to peruse quickly. Emphasize your most relevant experience by putting jobs in the same field or roles that required comparable abilities higher up on your resume.

4. How Should You Tailor Your Resume to a Job Description?

Creating a tailored Resume shows recruiters that you are an accomplished professional. Most importantly, it demonstrates that you are an excellent candidate for the job position.

When you tailor your resume to the job description, you should begin by aligning the most relevant aspects of the job description to the most visible places on your resume.

Put the first couple of bullet points on your Resume under each former employment as relevant as possible. Your resume and job history are one of the first things recruiters and hiring managers look at, so it’s critical to keep them orderly.

If the job description emphasizes leadership skills, don’t start by listing all of your individual accomplishments. Instead, include a bullet point that indicates any leadership you’ve done, such as project management, training, and supervising people.  Then you may go list your own accomplishments. If you have many roles on your Resume, tailor each one of them

If your resume includes a goal or summary section, modify that as well! Assess how the company characterizes the entire position and compare it to your summary.

5. What Should Not Be In A Resume?

Unlike some of the other frequently asked resume questions, this one has a straightforward answer: only include details that can help you get an interview. This includes your current contact information, recent employment history, and your most noteworthy accomplishments and skills.

In contrast, exclude any information that may hinder from that purpose. Adding private information is one area where you might get into trouble.

Here are some examples of things you should not put on your resume:

• Personal characteristics such as your health, pregnancy status, or age.
• Your marital status, if you have (or want to have) children, or your sexual orientation.
• Unless you intend to use that information as a filter, don’t add anything that may be used illegally to discriminate against you.
• Resume objective statements. Rather, include a resume summary.
  

Have more questions? 

Contact us to book a one-on-one career coaching session. We can answer your questions and provide you with strategic recommendations personalized to your individual circumstances.