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From The Archive

38. Tear your resume in half.
I don't like reading resumes because they're too full of irrelevant information. There is only one thing I need to know from a resume: Is this person going to solve my problem? And the answer to that question can be compellingly given in just a few words. But, where in your resume should you provide that key information?

Bear in mind that the typical manager devotes about 30 seconds to reading your resume. 30 seconds. That's all the time you've got to answer his question.

Fold your resume in half. Look at the top half. If that half a page doesn't solve the hiring manager's problem, the resume is trash because he isn't likely to read any farther.

There are lots of reasons why you should tear your resume in half. This is one of them.

For more about resumes, see Resume Blasphemy and Put A Free Sample In Your Resume. For more about quick, effective communication, read Milo Frank's How to Get Your Point Across in 30 Seconds or Less.