Various resume questions

[True Son]

I've been PMing a lot of you and getting some advice on how to set up my resume (thanks to all of you who have helped me out) and am hearing a lot of different things, sometimes conflicting. I just had a few questions about what most of you think is the most efficient and effective way to set up a resume.

1. Is it OK to have a resume longer than one page? In the past I've heard you should try to keep it to one. But some of you have said not to worry.

2. References. Do I list them on the resume or on a separate page? Also, how many should I list? In the past I've listed five but am now hearing only to list three.

3. Should you avoid using bullets? I always thought bullets were a great way to organize a resume but some of you have frowned on that. Why or why not?

 

[slappy4428]

You should put this topic on the journalism board, where it belongs, and not on the jobs board -- which is only a listing of jobs -- for a start.

 

[pantherprowl]

Just a suggestion -- 3 usually comes after 2.

 

[Diabeetus]

For your help, read through this thread: http://www.sportsjournalists.com/forum/threads/54622/

 

[True Son]

I wondered if this wouldn't be better here instead of the Jobs board. And my bad on the typo.

 

[pantherprowl]

Haha, just ribbing you. As far as your questions go, here's what I've been told ...

1) Never go longer than one page. Maybe that's the old conventional wisdom, but I wouldn't want to be the one who goes over. It shows that you can be concise and that you can pull out the most important stuff.

2) I never really list references until they ask for 'em.

3) I don't think anyone has a problem with or without bullet points.

 

[Bullwinkle]

3) I don't think anyone has a problem with or without bullet points.

There's somebody I'd like to introduce you to ...

 

[buckweaver]

1) If you're young, you probably haven't done enough to warrant a 2-page resume of relevant experience. But if you have, don't let the "rule" stop you. 2) 3 refs is fine, separate page is fine. 3) Bullets are fine; just make sure it's all clean, consistent and correct.

 

[Big Buckin' agate_monkey]

Haha, just ribbing you. As far as your questions go, here's what I've been told ...

1) Never go longer than one page. Maybe that's the old conventional wisdom, but I wouldn't want to be the one who goes over. It shows that you can be concise and that you can pull out the most important stuff.

2) I never really list references until they ask for 'em.

3) I don't think anyone has a problem with or without bullet points.

Disagree. Why make them ask? Send 'em. Assume that they'll want to talk with your references. I think not sending them is a terrible mistake.

 

[pressboxramblings07]

Agreed. So much about this business is who you know. If an SE notices that you know some big dogs in the industry, he/she is going to take a closer look at you.

 

[mustangj17]

Three good references are better than five okay references. Bullets are good as long as your resume is simple.

If you are new enough to the biz where you are asking resume questions, you most certainly should not have a two page resume. If you have been in the business for like 20 years, then yes, by all means, flow onto page 2.