Top 10 Resume FAQs from Vocational Students

Graduation approaches and students from vocational training programs and career education programs are busy writing resumes, filling out applications and preparing for interviews. To help focus the job search, here are the top 10 resume FAQs, in no particular order, being asked about resume writing from students in vocational programs.

1. What errors do students and grads from vocational or career training programs make on resumes? Graduates forget to emphasize hands-on training and overlook projects. They sometimes overlook jobs and volunteer work done before entering their career education and vocational training programs.

2. How long should my resume be? It really depends. The key to good resume writing is relevance. Make the best case possible for why your skills meet employer needs. While the one-page resume is still the standard for new grads, the two-page resume may be necessary sometimes.

3. What are industry "keywords" and why do I include them when writing a resume? Keywords are specific resume words and phrases that employers use to find candidates. Employers will search scannable resumes by using these phrases specific to their industry. Job seekers also use keywords and phrases to search for jobs.

4. What is a Video Resume? The video resume is a short video created by job seekers to showcase job skills, competencies and qualifications.
5. Should I use an objective statement to my resume? The resume objective sets the tone for the resume and helps vocational students to focus the recruiters' attention on what they are seeking.

6. What is a Resume Distribution Services? Resume distribution services will send your resume to thousands of recruiters, headhunters, and potential employers. There are definitely pros and cons of using these services and they should not be relied on, as your only job search strategy.

7. Should I email my resume or copy and paste it in the body of my email? Both are acceptable. Pay close attention to the employers' instructions for applying and keep your email communications professional.