Software QA/Testing/Tester FAQs: The Biggest Mistakes in Resumes

Q: What makes a good resume? (Cont'd...)

Two, your resume should tell your story. If you're a college graduate looking for your first job, a one-page resume is just fine. But, if you have a longer story, your resume needs to be longer. You want put your experience on your resume, so resume readers can tell when, and for whom, you did what.

Three, if you're long on experience, then short resumes are not appropriate. The real audience for these short resumes is people with short attention spans and low IQs. I assure you that, when your resume gets into the right hands, it will be read thoroughly.

Four, short resumes are not appropriate, if you have to use a small (7-point) font, to get your resume onto one page. Resume readers don't like eyestrain, and if your resume is mechanically challenging, they just throw it aside for one that is easier on the eyes.

Five, in light of the current emailing scenario, your longer than one-page resume is no problem because recruiters will copy and paste it into their databases. And once it is in there, and searchable, you have accomplished one of your goals of resume distribution.

Six, short resumes are not appropriate, if you have to sacrifice clarity in order to get your resume onto one page. Why? Because resume readers don't like to guess, and most won't call you to clarify what is on your resume.

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