An applicant used to be competing with about 250 résumés, now it's 1,000, says the president of a Web service that helps job seekers.

06:27 PM EDT on Sunday, April 9, 2006

BY STEVE PEOPLES
Journal Staff Writer

The clock is ticking.

In 42 days, Daniel Carrigg will don a cap and gown and receive a diploma from the University of Rhode Island.

Journal photo / Andrew Dickerman

George Richardson, of Exeter, fills out a resume at a recent biotechnology job fair at the Crowne Plaza hotel, in Warwick.

The 22-year-old will graduate with degrees in political science and German, around $30,000 in student loan debt and plans to save for graduate school.

But he doesn't have a job yet.

"It's a scary time," he said. "I'm stressed out. I feel like I've aged a year for each of the last few months."

But things could be worse, a well-dressed Carrigg acknowledged last week just before entering a job fair at URI's Providence campus. He was armed with a good résumé.

"Before this, all my jobs had a generic application I had to fill out," he said. "But I know I have to do this right."

Carrigg spent weeks working with a career counselor to create a one-page informative and professional document that clearly explains what he has to offer.

Unfortunately for many people entering the job market, creating an acceptable résumé can be a moving target.

Everyone seems to have an opinion. Schools have career counselors with tips, there are books on the subject and a plethora of Web sites and professional services offer advice.

"The art of résumé writing is changing -- an average job applicant used to be competing with about 250 résumés, now it's 1,000," said Don Goodman, president of gotthejob.com, a Web service based in New Jersey that prepares résumés, cover letters and follow-up thank-you notes for $149. "The bottom line is you need the best résumé you can have."

Employers want to know what you can offer them, Goodman said, adding that résumés need to offer proof that the applicant has the skills and experience required for the job.

And appearance is important. "A résumé has to tell a compelling story and be easy to read," Goodman said.

Cyndie Wilmot, the chief human resources officer for Lifespan, agrees.

Wilmot, who has been reviewing résumés for more than 30 years, says that too often applicants ignore the details.

Too many people rely on computer spell check. Some résumés are "too busy" and difficult to read. And the formatting doesn't always look professional.

"We have job openings in communications and people submit résumés with typos," she said. "It's unbelievable."

The Internet may allow job applicants to more easily post résumés and search job listings, but it also creates much more competition, Wilmot said. Like many companies, Lifespan has gone paperless in recent years.

The health-care company posts all job openings on its Web site, and provides links for applicants to post their résumés electronically.

"It's easier for both sides," she said. "But people don't realize how much competition there is."

Employers typically spend from 10 to 30 seconds reviewing a résumé before deciding whether to pursue an interview, according to Deanna Payette, a career counselor at URI's Providence campus.

"I call them marketing tools," Payette said of résumés. "That's what you're doing, you're selling something. You're selling yourself."

Carrigg said he met with Payette four or five times in the past month to work on his résumé.

"I'm not here to fool around," he said before walking into the job fair. "I want something by June."

speoples@projo.com / (401) 277-7459