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The guide emphasizes targeting resumes and cover letters to each role, highlighting transferable skills, keeping content concise, using a Summary of Qualifications, and thoroughly proofreading and carefully completing online applications. 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The guidance recommends reviewing multiple examples and creating a resume format from a blank Word document.","Answer",{"name":66,"@type":61,"acceptedAnswer":67},"How should applicants describe experience so employers notice it?",{"text":68,"@type":64},"Applicants should use specific language that clearly explains why they are qualified, rather than making employers search for related experience. Bulleted action phrases help skills and results stand out to readers.",{"name":70,"@type":61,"acceptedAnswer":71},"What is the difference between a chronological and a functional resume?",{"text":72,"@type":64},"A chronological resume emphasizes job titles and lists experience in reverse chronological order. A functional resume highlights 3–5 job-related skills with matched bullet points, which can be helpful for career changers, employment gaps, or candidates who feel boxed into certain roles.","https://schema.org",{"og:url":32,"og:type":75,"og:title":10,"og:site_name":45,"og:description":12},"article",{"robots":77,"canonical":32},"index,follow",{"doc_id":79,"site_id":7},255519,1790344198,{"code":4,"msg":82,"data":83},"success",[84,89,93,98,103,108,113,118,123],{"id":85,"doc_module":22,"doc_module_name":25,"category_name":86,"show_sort_weight":87,"slug":88},11,"Presentations",90,"presentations",{"id":90,"doc_module":22,"doc_module_name":25,"category_name":29,"show_sort_weight":91,"slug":92},12,80,"resumes",{"id":94,"doc_module":22,"doc_module_name":25,"category_name":95,"show_sort_weight":96,"slug":97},14,"Invoices",70,"invoices",{"id":99,"doc_module":22,"doc_module_name":25,"category_name":100,"show_sort_weight":101,"slug":102},15,"Posters",60,"posters",{"id":104,"doc_module":22,"doc_module_name":25,"category_name":105,"show_sort_weight":106,"slug":107},16,"Social Media",50,"social-media",{"id":109,"doc_module":22,"doc_module_name":25,"category_name":110,"show_sort_weight":111,"slug":112},17,"Forms",40,"forms",{"id":114,"doc_module":22,"doc_module_name":25,"category_name":115,"show_sort_weight":116,"slug":117},18,"Letters",30,"letters",{"id":119,"doc_module":22,"doc_module_name":25,"category_name":120,"show_sort_weight":121,"slug":122},21,"Paper Templates",5,"papers-templates",{"id":124,"doc_module":22,"doc_module_name":25,"category_name":125,"show_sort_weight":4,"slug":126},158,"General","general-158",{"code":4,"msg":82,"data":128},{"doc_id":79,"user_id":129,"nickname":42,"user_avatar":130,"doc_module":22,"category_id":90,"category_name":29,"doc_title":10,"doc_description":12,"doc_content":131,"file_id":132,"file_url":133,"file_type":134,"file_size":135,"view_count":55,"is_deleted":4,"is_public":22,"is_downloadable":22,"audit_status":22,"page_count":136,"language":137,"language_code":8,"site_id":7,"html_lang":8,"table_of_contents":138,"faqs":139,"seo_title":140,"seo_description":12,"update_tm":141,"read_time":30},2336478466772,"https://ap-avatar.wpscdn.com/davatar_3d24733baf745e90a7e4bdd5f77d97b2","110 Lanier Hall 􀁟 478-445-5384 􀁟 [career.center@gcsu.edu](career.center@gcsu.edu) 􀁟 [www.gcsu.edu/career](www.gcsu.edu/career)  \nResume Writing & Job Search Strategies for Alumni  \nHow to Avoid Common Resume/Job Application Pitfalls  \n1. Do not use an online resume template. Instead, review a variety of examples and create your own resume format through a blank Word document. Templates are next to impossible to update, and they make you look lazy.  \n2. Store a complete history of your work, leadership, and education history on your computer but do not put all of these details on the resume you submit for a job. Your resume is a snapshot of your related experiences. Keep a history of everything so you can pull what you need for each job.  \n3. Don’t make the employer search through your resume for related experience. Make this information jump out at the employer. Use specific language so that it is clear as to why you think you are qualified for the job.  \n4. Target your resume for the job you want. This rule is especially important for anyone who wants to change career fields or job titles. Review the job description and relate your current experience to the job requirements and duties. If you just list your job duties, then it looks like you just want the same job but at a different place.  \n5. Target your cover letter for each job. Generic cover letters to “Whom it may concern” will annoy most hiring managers. Use the cover letter as your opportunity to say why you are the best person for the job. You should also provide specific reasons why the company interests you. Try to direct your letter to a real person.  \n6. Focus on transferable skills rather than job duties. Restating your job duties tells an employer that you want to continue doing the job you are doing. Instead, think about how your job duties have helped you develop the skills needed for the job. Don’t state the obvious – help the employer see your experience in a new light.  \n7. Keep it brief and use your space wisely. One-page resumes are the best, but if you must have two pages, the most important information goes on the first page. What experience most closely relates to the qualificationsand duties?  \n8. Use a “Summary of Qualifications” section to grab an employer’s interest. Use this section at the beginning of your resume to emphasize your qualifications. Items such as years of experience, training, recognitions, and specific job related skills may be used. Choose qualifications that you truly have and can back-up during the interview. Avoid lists of random key words that may lack meaning to an employer.  \n9. Proofread, proofread, and proofread! Typos and grammatical errors in your resume, cover letter, and online application may eliminate you immediately from jobs.  \n10. Spend time on the online application. Maybe you don’t have time or you think it’s redundant, but it’s important to take your time to complete it. Think of it as your first opportunity to show you can follow directions.  \nResume Types: Chronological vs. Functional  \nMost job seekers use the traditional chronological resume, showing their work experience in reverse chronological order. This type of resume puts a great deal of emphasis on job titles. You can also divide  \nyour different work experience into categories such as “Marketing Experience” to emphasize related experience.  \nIf you are a career changer, have gaps in your employment, or feel as though you are pigeon-holed into certain jobs, you may want to consider a functional resume. A functional resume allows you to identify 3 – 5 skills related to the job and then match your bulleted phrases to the skills rather than the specific jobs you have had. To document your work and leadership history, you would have a list of those experiences with dates and titles at the end of your resume.  \nParagraphs vs. Bulleted action phrases  \nEmployers are getting hundreds of resumes for one job opening. You want your skills and experience to ju","cbCairjxqdF2LsPO","https://ap.wps.com/l/cbCairjxqdF2LsPO","pdf",489721,7,"English","# How to Avoid Common Resume/Job Application Pitfalls\n## Resume and application fundamentals\n## Resume types: Chronological vs. Functional\n## Writing style: Paragraphs vs. bulleted action phrases\n## Cover letters: Do I really need one?\n## Beyond the resume: other ways to get noticed","[{\"question\":\"Why avoid using an online resume template?\",\"answer\":\"Online templates are difficult to update and can make applicants look careless. The guidance recommends reviewing multiple examples and creating a resume format from a blank Word document.\"},{\"question\":\"How should applicants describe experience so employers notice it?\",\"answer\":\"Applicants should use specific language that clearly explains why they are qualified, rather than making employers search for related experience. Bulleted action phrases help skills and results stand out to readers.\"},{\"question\":\"What is the difference between a chronological and a functional resume?\",\"answer\":\"A chronological resume emphasizes job titles and lists experience in reverse chronological order. A functional resume highlights 3–5 job-related skills with matched bullet points, which can be helpful for career changers, employment gaps, or candidates who feel boxed into certain roles.\"}]","Resume Writing & Job Search Strategies for Alumni - How to Avoid Common Resume/Job Application Pitfalls | PDF",1789290308]