The Best Resumes Get Back To The Basics
Survey: Majority of Execs Prefer Traditional Versus Trendy Resumes
MENLO PARK, Calif., May 5, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Is it time to ditch the old-fashioned resume? No way, new research from staffing firm The Creative Group suggests. Nearly eight in 10 (78 percent) advertising and marketing executives interviewed said they would rather receive traditional CVs in Word or PDF format from candidates applying for creative roles at their company. This was also the top response among a majority (70 percent) of hiring managers in a similar study conducted three years ago.
Far fewer executives today favored online profiles (14 percent) and video or infographic resumes (3 percent each) as their format of choice.
View an infographic of the survey findings.
"Most hiring managers spend seconds scanning resumes to spot the ones they want to review in detail," said Diane Domeyer, executive director of The Creative Group. "While an eye-catching resume design can be a plus for creative professionals, above all, the information must be clear and easy to read."
Advertising and marketing executives were asked, "Which of the following resume formats do you most prefer to get from candidates applying for creative roles at your company?" Their responses:
| 2016 |
2013 |
|
| Traditional (e.g., Word document, PDF) |
78% |
70% |
| Social or online profile |
14% |
4% |
| Video |
3% |
2% |
| Infographic |
3% |
20% |
| Some other format |
0% |
1% |
| Don't know/no answer |
1% |
3% |
| 99%* |
100% |
*Responses do not total 100 percent due to rounding.
"Professionals today have many options when it comes to showcasing their skills and qualifications to potential employers. It can be tempting to try something new, but the best resumes cut to the chase and paint a clear picture of why a candidate will be a good fit for the role and organization," Domeyer added.
The Creative Group shares five resume mistakes creative job seekers should avoid:
- Overdesigning it. While it's OK to incorporate elements of your personal brand into your resume, refrain from excessive embellishments, such as too many charts and colors, which can be distracting. Instead, use your portfolio to showcase your artistic style.
- Ignoring the user experience. The best resumes feature simple fonts, standard margins, section headings and bullet points to highlight key attributes and help employers navigate the information.
- Focusing on job responsibilities versus results. Hiring managers are far more interested in the impact you made than the tasks you handled. Whenever possible, quantify your contributions to the bottom line.
- Including too many extras. Listing hobbies and interests on your CV is fine if they're related to your career goals and the position in question; if they're not, leave them off. In the same vein, ditch the objective statement and business jargon.
- Failing to keep it fresh. Even if you're not actively looking for a new job, it's wise to keep your application materials current. Review your resume at least once a year to ensure it features your most recent accomplishments and skills.
About the Research
The survey was developed by The Creative Group and conducted by an independent research firm. It includes responses from more than 400 U.S. advertising and marketing executives.
About The Creative Group
The Creative Group (TCG) specializes in connecting interactive, design, marketing, advertising and public relations talent with the best companies on a project, contract-to-hire and full-time basis. For more information, including job-hunting services, candidate portfolios and TCG's blog, visit creativegroup.com.
Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160504/363587-INFO
SOURCE The Creative Group
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