FINANCE/ACCOUNTING CAREERS

Resume Rules: Dos and Don’ts for Success

One of the biggest challenges for most accounting and finance professionals searching for a job is creating a compelling resume. It doesn’t help that the rules for crafting this document (e.g., Should you keep your resume to one page? Is it wise to include your hobbies?) frequently change.

That’s why it’s important to know the current dos and don’ts of resume writing. The following tips will help you persuade a potential employer that you’re the best candidate for the job:

Do target the content. Take the time to tailor your resume to the requirements of each position you’re applying for by highlighting your relevant skills and experience. For instance, if you are applying for an entry-level audit opportunity, you might devote more space to the audit work you performed during a summer internship than your accomplishments while with the company’s cost accounting group.

Don’t forget to start with a bang. To capture your readers’ attention right away, begin your resume with a brief summary of your qualifications. Here’s an example: “Dedicated compliance specialist with thorough knowledge of U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and Sarbanes-Oxley regulations. Possess CPA and eight years of professional experience.” By clearly describing your professional background, as well as any designations you possess, at the top of your resume, you’ll stand out as a hiring manager plows through dozens of documents.

Do emphasize ROI (return on investment). It’s a common resume trap to highlight a “laundry list” of skills you possess instead of showing how you used those abilities to impact the company’s bottom line. For example, rather than saying, “helped with forecasting and budget-setting process,” you might write, “provided strategic analysis and advice to senior management, which led to installation of a new, more accurate forecasting process.”

Don’t think you must keep your resume to one page. While the traditional advice has been to limit resumes to one page, most managers today are willing to read past Page One. Nearly half (44 percent) of executives recently polled by our company said they prefer resumes that are two pages long. Only 25 percent of managers surveyed 10 years ago held this opinion. Employers are willing to spend more time reviewing application materials in an effort to determine who is most qualified for a certain role. Just don’t go overboard: Hiring managers want to see that applicants can prioritize information and concisely convey the depth of their experience.

Do choose your words wisely. Many organizations electronically scan resumes and search keywords, so, if your experience matches what the company is looking for, try to include the exact phrases and specific applications listed in the job description. If the description asks for an individual who possesses three or more years of public accounting experience and a CPA designation, and you have this background, be sure you include these points in your resume. This will increase the number of hits your resume generates during the initial screening process and improve your chances of being invited for an interview.

Do sweat the small stuff. Eighty-four percent of executives polled by our company said it takes just one or two typographical errors in a resume to remove a candidate from consideration for a job opening; 47 percent said a single typo can be the deciding factor. So in addition to proofreading your document several times, ask a few close friends to review your resume before sending it out. They may spot problems your spell-check function didn’t catch.

And some final don’ts:

• Don’t list a quirky e-mail address on your resume. Employers generally don’t want to ask “luvtohunt@xyx.com” or “partygrl000@abc.com” in for an interview. Instead, create a separate account for professional purposes.
• Don’t include irrelevant personal information, such as your favorite food or hobbies. If you volunteer at an organization or speak a second language that relates to the job, it’s OK to mention that information.
• Don’t use complete sentences; hiring managers prefer short, bulleted statements.

While there is no magic formula for creating the perfect resume, there are certain things to do and not do that will increase your chances of success. By following these, you’ll create a standout document.

Founded in 1948, Robert Half Finance & Accounting, a division of Robert Half International Inc., is first and largest specialized financial recruiting service. The company has more than 360 offices worldwide. Search for jobs now or learn more at www.roberthalf.com.