Professional Resume Writing Advice

7/13/2018

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Resume Writing Ideas July 13, 2018

What to do about References on a resume

Should I or shouldn't I include a "References" heading at the bottom of my resume?

A professional resume writing service can only be provided by an expert resume writer who can easily explain every strategy that is implemented in writing a new resume. But there is much controversy when it comes to including or not including References as a heading at the bottom of your resume.

The truth is that reference-checking is still a widespread practice and there are effective strategies to professionally handle the reference checking process.

I see time and time again, in various articles, that the line "References available upon request" is outdated. I find the advice so wrong that I like to search and learn more about the professional backgrounds of the writers who spread this futile advice online. Often I find that most of them have not worked A DAY as a Recruiter! But I have! In fact, I have been a Recruiter for more than two decades. I have called on countless jobseekers' references, and have heard all kinds of details from employers, communicated verbally, or otherwise. So, you must believe me when I say that not everybody has shiny references. Employers have their ways of letting Recruiters know that.... And recruiters are professionally trained to dig for details; that's what they are paid for, among other things.

In my recruiting days, whenever I came across a resume that did not include the clause "References available upon request", at the very least, I would frown. I could not help but wonder if this person has bad references, otherwise "what would it take to just include that clause in the resume for us????? How hard could it be???" And that is why I would insert that resume at the BOTTOM OF THE PILE.

Considering the number of resumes I had to review on ANY given day which would actually offer me the information I needed, I wasn't going to call "Mr/Ms Mysterious" to find out the thought process behind not including that simple clause about References at the bottom of their resume. I would just call the resumes who made it clear that if I need to check references, it "WILL BE" available upon request.

I have not only applied this rule to those resumes that have crossed my desk, but over the years, I have also trained many other recruiters to do the same. Needless to say, they all found this internal strategy to be an efficient one, in terms of time management.

My 2 cents comes from first-hand experience, from the other side of the interviewing desk... Only because I have been there, COUNTLESS times... Today, I share that with you, here.

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I am a Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW) and Recruiter with three decades of experience in assisting jobseekers, working with employers, and writing effective resumes. I am well-versed with Applicant Tracking Systems. I use the right keywords so my resumes go through ATS successfully and without complications

My experience in resume writing was built over time dating back to when I joined the staffing industry as a Recruiter. It has been three decades since that time. Today, my success stems from many years of professional resume writing as well as working with job-seekers and employers, all conducive to numerous successful interviews.

As a Certified Resume Writer and Recruiter, I am an excellent resource for services pertaining to job search advice, resumes, cover letters, resignation letters, LinkedIn profile writing, career transition strategies, and much more.

I have written countless job descriptions, posted employment ads online, leveraged applicant tracking systems, and interviewed job-seekers while serving as a direct liaison between jobseekers and employers.

Aside from preparing your new resume, I can share insights with you about the interviewers' point of view as an added-value; i.e.: The thought process behind many of the standard interview questions, how to use them to your advantage, and much more...

Professional Resume Writing Advice

What to do about References on a resume

Should I or shouldn't I include a "References" heading at the bottom of my resume?

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