Dropping Degrees from Resume

Henry is a unique client seeking a position within the federal government.  This client has a bachelor's degree and THREE (yes, three!) master's degrees.  Yesterday, Henry said to me, "I have had people advising me to drop some of the degrees from my resume. What is your advice in that respect?"

I have a long answer to this question! (Did you expect a short, sweet answer?!)

Primarily, you should never see your resume as a static document.  An effective resume is fluid, it is ever changing.  A successful resume is a marketing tool with the goal to land an interview!  If your resume is tailored to the job to which you're applying - all the more likely you will snag that interview.  If your resume is gridlocked and you send the exact same resume to every job opening, you may not be getting the results you feel you deserve.  A professional resume consultant can help you customize your resume based on each job you want to pursue.

In Henry's specific case, we developed his resume specifically for federal application.  The differences between a federal resume and a corporate resume are vast.  You would never send a corporate resume in response to a federal job opening and you would never, ever want to send your federal resume to a corporate HR director!  We are dealing with two entirely different species here!  Many of my federal clients also consult with me to develop a corporate resume simultaneously.  My simple answer for Henry was for federal application, list all your degrees.  The feds want to know everything about you!


However, if Henry (or anyone else with multiple degrees) is developing his corporate resume, my advice will vary depending upon the specific situation.  I may recommend dropping the two master's degrees that are least relevant to the job to which he is applying. From a marketing standpoint, you do not want to appear overqualified by an advanced education nor do you want to intimidate the hiring manager.

When crafting a resume for federal job openings, you need to know exactly how to package it and what information must be included.  During the development of a corporate resume, knowing how to market just the right skills, abilities, and knowledge for that job is as important (if not more) as the professional history and education listed.  Resume writing is an art and a science - don't leave your career up to chance - make the investment of consulting a professional resume and career strategist to help you stand out from the competition!

Ramsey Penegar is an executive career strategist and resume consultant, certified as a professional resume writer by the Professional Association of Resume Writers. She has developed over 1,000 resumes for executives all over the United States and for international clients as well. With more than 15 years experience in marketing and sales, she has the skills to build effective job search marketing campaigns and attention-getting resumes for a wide-variety of industries and personal career situations.  Contact Ramsey today to discuss your career strategy and resume needs!

Phone Numbers?!?! Which One To Use On My Resume?

A client (K.A.A.) asked a great question for their resume today: The phone number on my resume is my home number. Is that better than my cell phone number?  If you are like many of us in this modern era, you likely have several telephone numbers.  A home phone (maybe 2 lines), a personal cell, a business cell, the office, the telephone in your personal jet.  (Okay, you probably don't have a phone in your jet much less your own personal jet!) Which one or how many of them do you use on your resume?

Let me start by saying that the majority of employers are not going to hunt you down.  There are exceptions  - like you are the greatest prospective employee EVER and they have to meet you today! But that doesn't really happen in real life!  So back to reality, don't expect a hiring manager to call all 20 of the telephone numbers you have listed on your resume.  Don't make it hard - make it easy for them to reach you - list one phone number and one email address.  Okay, you concur and you're just going to use one phone number on your resume.  So which one?

I personally prefer the cell phone for a couple of reasons.  First, if you share your home phone with roommates or family – the call could be answered unprofessionally or the person answering the phone may not give you the message.  I just love those cutesy-wootsey outgoing answering machine messages where your two year old is singing the "Itsy Bitsy Spider" for five long, agonizing minutes.  I just don't think you want that to be the second impression you make on a prospective employer calling you to set up an interview!

With your cell phone you set up your professional voicemail with your "radio voice" and callers can leave you private messages, which you can return promptly and they are able to reach you at anytime.  My advice to active job-seekers is to not answer a call from an unknown number (it could be a hiring manager) if you are in the middle of doing something in which you won’t be able to maintain your professionalism and pay attention.  "Hey, I'm changing a diaper, may I call you back," does not solicit a great start!  It's funny, but not professional.

And please?  The ringback tones, you know the ones that start with a message like, "Please enjoy the music while we connect you to your party" and Brittney Spears' "I'm in Love with a Criminal" starts playing?  Really.  Is that professional?

Ramsey Penegar is an executive career strategist and resume consultant, certified as a professional resume writer by the Professional Association of Resume Writers. She has developed over 1,000 resumes for executives all over the United States and for international clients as well. With more than 15 years experience in marketing and sales, she has the skills to build effective job search marketing campaigns and attention-getting resumes for a wide-variety of industries and personal career situations.  Contact Ramsey today to discuss your career strategy and resume needs!