dave_the_leg

I'm desperately struggling to get my resume down to 2 pages without cutting out important information or making it look all crammed in.

Does anyone have any experience of professional resume writing services? Are there any you would recommend?

Thanks

Bob

What career field you in? Most are a bit rubbish unless it's in a specific field, programmers, medicine etc.

If your doing a tech one, just highlight positions and skills, the rest you can bring up in a interview or offer as further detailed information on request.

dave_the_leg

Should have mentioned something about my - background.

Principal Engineer working in optics and electronics for precision instruments

caleyjag

Hi.

I'm an optics guy, and I've successfully navigated this area before. If you want you can send it to me and I will have a look.

My services are free.

[email protected]

dbj1000

You're in optics? So am I. How odd - for some reason I thought you were in bioengineering of some sort.

I wouldn't be much help on the resume front though - mine desperately needs updating!

caleyjag

I am.

I work for a big biotech company.......on their optics.

AdobePinon

In optics, you'll probably want a long one (think CV) AND a short one. Use each at the appropriate time. The key is to remember that the résumé is only to get you the interview, and that you should always send a cover letter with a résumé. So simply prioritize. For example, detail only your current position and summarize the others. List only the skills most relevant to the job you're applying for, and those demanded by the ad. Cut down to 'selected publications' listing the highest quality ones, and those of most relevance. DO leave a reasonable margin, use a decent size font, and pay attention to layout, even if these things cut down on your available space - a résumé that doesn't attract the eye will get tossed in the trash.

Also, DO tailor the résumé specifically for each job. DO NOT try and create a generic one. I prefer to keep a long one up to date, and then cut that one for each particular job.

Bob

you sure you want your email posted publicly, open to be culled by the spam bots?

caleyjag

It's my spammable spam-friendly email.

Bob

never thought to use mailanator instead?

emailrob

I'm in HR. I'll take a look for free of course. Don't waste your money on services. I've reviewed 1000's of CVs

scrubbedexpat091

Try having to use a resume for a fast food job....

Canada doesn't beleive in applications, seriously a pain to use a resume when your not a professinal of any sort.

BritishGuy36

I have the same problem, how do you condense over a decade of high-level professional experience and a bunch of qualifications down to two pages.

If you can resist the temptation to reduce the font size just cut down your previous work experience to the last two employers and basically summarise everything.

If you can, customise your resume for each application concentrating on your stong points plus things from your experience which you think would help you to land that particular job.

Bob

Thing is...how much of what you did 10 years ago would still be relevant and cutting edge now? Now much, so bin it to the side lines.

Saving a company millions and preventing it going under would be the kind of info you'd put in a summary rather than details of the company.

emailrob

Just make sure more recent roles have more accomplishments in bullet form, and then older roles like those after uni/college can be shorter, snappier, and probably all written on one line to save space. Most employers won't get past the first page I'm afraid, so you need education, current skills, current job, and some type of (ideally customized per application) statement on what you're looking for.