Notes from 50th International STC Conference
Dallas, Texas, May 18-21, 2003

Creative Resumes that Will Make You Stand Out

Mike Hamilton
eHelp Corporation

Mike Hamilton, with eHelp Corporation, is RoboHelp product manager for eHelp and an expert on online help.

Session Description: This session was designed to help attendees gain an edge over the competition by developing resumes that attract attention, providing tips and tools to get one's resume noticed immediately.

Note: For an e-file of the presentation, contact the presenter.

• How do you get your resume past the "gatekeepers" and to the real decision-makers?
• Traditional resumes
   
• To an HR person, resumes represent a stack of work.
• The initial screener probably isn't qualified to judge your credentials.
• Screeners look for a couple of key words.
• A resume must be written for multiple audiences; first, a non-technical screening person must see merit (not too technical), but you also need to have enough substantive data to impress the decision-makers.
• Paper resumes for high-tech jobs?
   
• Standard resume lost in huge pile of other standard resumes.
• How do you show your technical skills?
• How do you show your online writing skills in a printed document?
• What is a resume?
   
• A professional marketing tool to "sell" your skills.
• Well laid out, succinct, easy to understand.
• Provide sufficient information to register interest.
• Produce a resume that gets you to the next stage of the recruitment process.
• A resume doesn't get you a job. The interview gets you the job. The resume gets you the interview.
• Phone interviews often come between resume and live interview as an additional down-select.
• What is a resume?
   
• Use language that puts you in the best light, but BE HONEST.
• Use the exact words and phrases found in the job ad... use their "buzz words."
• The resume needs to appeal to multiple audiences.
• The cover letter usually doesn't reach the decision-makers, which is why it is best to tailor the resume to the company as well.
• In an e-resume, one can make the cover letter page 1, which forces it to be carried forward with the resume.
• In companies with more than a thousand employees, resumes are often scanned electronically looking for key words and phrases (e.g., "took 2 courses in a Master's degree program" will make the parser will think you have an M.A., meaning you might get pass a wicket you would not otherwise have traversed, perhaps even allowing your resume to be seen by human eyes).
• Thinking out of the box
   
• Be different! Stand out – because you CAN!
• Use online resumes for an online position.
• If only paper is requested, provide both! Use a basic folder with cover letter and resume on right and CD (no jewel case) on left.
• What if all your work is proprietary? Create a mockup; use something from an outside-work venture such as a professional association or a civic group.
• What is the right number of items to include in a portfolio? Be selective, and also "chunk" the information into skills/product categories.
• If you have your portfolio online, is it appropriate to include the URL on your resume? Yes. And put <> around it, so if they send it via e-mail (Outlook) it will become a hot link.
• Do not put phone number or mailing address out online; identity theft is becoming prevalent. Put the specific contact information on paper only.
• Creative resumes
   
• Show your skills and AWE your audience.
• Develop for 800x600 screen resolution.
• Add links and use relative paths.
• Add real examples of your work.
• Customize! Use corporate colors.
• Keep it short – write for the Web. Bullets beat paragraphs.
• Use sans serif fonts (scan more accurately) and relative size.
• Include a 1-page printable version, with a link to it.
• If you send a Word document, do it properly, including author info, styles, etc., because it can be used to judge your proficiency in Word as well as for content.
• PDFs can be a lot safer... they eliminate weird page breaks, font changes, etc. Track changes can be very dangerous; critique comments carry forward.
• Some things not to do
   
• Avoid clip art
• Avoid animations
• Avoid cluttering screens (white space is good)
• Don't get caught up with graphics and complex features: focus on the resume
• Don't use more space just because you have it.
• If not required, don't add photographs. Managers often prefer not to receive them for liability reasons.
• Tools of the trade:
   
• RoboHelp
   
• Free trial CD
• Limit the number of topics
• Provide all standard navigations features
• Demonstrate you are up to speed with the latest version; stay current
• RoboDemo
• Word: be sure you have mastered it if you use it as an example of your work!
• Framemaker: trial version does not allow saving (important the sample .mif files, so anyone can access your sample)
• PhotoShop: many low-cost courses exist to develop proficiency. Learn how to create an attractive label for your CD.
• Take a community college class and buy all the software at student rates (great way to get set up for contracting)
• Create an online resume
   
• You can scan certificates, etc., covers of documents you worked on, etc., and embed images in the online resume
• Links to samples
• Use PDFs for printable files
• List tool skill separately and also imbed them in job descriptions, tied to business outcomes (e.g., "used MacroMind Director to create presentation that was instrumental in securing $30M environmental protection contract")
• How far back should the resume go on history? If you spent a lot of years at one company, divide the time up by positions. Go back as far as the skills make sense to the objective.
• Distribution
   
• E-mail
   
• An e-mail message becomes the cover letter
• Send only one file: Chm, runs on all Windows, compressed file, or send zipped Web Help. Do not send a slew of files.
• If you send multiple files in a zipped folder, be sure they are clearly organized and in folders... limit choices... make it easy for the reviewer to navigate and find examples of your work.
• Don't block e-mail records.
• Don't use cc.
• Internet: easy publication and updates; free Web space (invest in low monthly fees to remove banner advertisement); customize resumes and distribute links to customized versions
• CD: provides ample space, but use quality CDs and test; create and print a custom label; mail with printed version of resume; avoid jewel cases (they crack and shatter); use plastic case with or plastic envelope with cardboard
• Package: document holder resume, cover letter, CD, business card, stamped reply post card
• Next: Follow up! Prepare for the interview. A phone interview may follow as soon as your resume is received.