The Elements of Resume Style: Essential Rules for Writing
Resumes and Cover Letters That Work by Scott Bennett is a great resource for
everyone to have. It is beneficial to all types of job seekers, from the
experienced worker to the candidate looking for their first job. This guide is
easy to read and follow; it even includes some step-by-step directions on
formatting. Bennett includes a lot of information in this book but it is not
overwhelming. He uses everyday language that readers of all backgrounds can
understand.
Bennett begins the book by giving eight reasons why job
seekers may receive no response or interview, reasons that have nothing to do
with the job seeker or their resume. This book discusses a range of topics from
using social media sites to writing a concise resume and cover letter to
knowing how to prepare for the interview.
The Elements of Resume Style has many great features. Two of
the best parts of this book focus on the vocabulary that resume writers should
use and avoid. Bennett gives readers a list of vague claims to avoid and
includes a chart that compares vague claims and specific action statements and
explains why avoiding vague claims is the way to go.
Bennett is focused on making things easier for the person
that will be reading the resume. Since he has experience with reading resumes and hiring, he knows that making the most of your resume
and showing that you value the reader’s time is essential. Bennett (2014) shows
job seekers how to do this by giving tips on using shorter heading titles, “work
experience” rather than “professional experience” and writing brief statements
rather than using bullet points because “neither a bullet nor any other symbol
will propel a reader's eyes and interest on a resume as quickly as a thoughtful
and succinct paragraph” (p. 29).
Some of the advice in the book goes against the common
resume and cover letter information. Bennett encourages job seekers to send a
short four-sentence cover letter because he believes it will help make the
candidate stand out and will let the reader get through it faster. Most cover
letter advice is to write four concise paragraphs addressing why you are interested
in the job and company and a few examples of your qualifications, etc.
Bennett’s dislike of bullet points is also controversial, Alison
Green, writer of the blog Ask a Manager, states, “hiring
managers will only skim your resume initially, and big blocks of text are
difficult to skim (not to mention, they often make employers' eyes glaze over).”
While The Elements of Resume Style offers a lot of great advice, tips and formatting help,
readers should take some of his advice with a grain of salt.
Bennett, Scott. (2014). The elements of resume style: Essential rules for writing resumes and cover letters that work. New York, NY: Amacom
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