A former Google executive advises against overcrowding resumes.

A former Google executive advises against overcrowding resumes.
A former Google executive advises against overcrowding resumes.

There are certain elements of a resume Jenny Wood loves to see.

The former Google exec, whose upcoming book "Wild Courage" emphasizes goal achievement, has always appreciated a touch of personality in resumes. One of her favorite resumes included the statement "always seeking the perfect oatmeal raisin cookie recipe," which demonstrated the candidate's curiosity and willingness to take risks.

She prefers bullet points that are brief and to the point in job descriptions, as she believes it makes her stand out as a top candidate.

On the flipside, there are a few red flags Wood recommends avoiding.

1. 'Don't go over five bullets on any given role'

Sure, I can help you with that! Please provide me with the original sentence you would like me to rewrite.

"According to Wood, if you possess 10 bullets under a role, it implies that you are unable to provide an executive summary of your actions. This suggests that you lack the ability to prioritize and distinguish between what is crucial and insignificant."

Wood may question your ability to manage clients' time and attention if you tend to be verbose and unconcise in your communication.

She advises against exceeding five bullet points when describing accomplishments in any role.

2. 'Don't overdo it with links'

Including links to your resume in job applications can highlight your accomplishments and demonstrate your influence during the hiring process.

Wood suggests linking to specific examples of projects, a portfolio, and screenshots of good customer feedback to showcase the metrics of a project that launched a new product to the market.

Wood advises against including too many links in a resume, as it can make it difficult to read and may suggest a lack of discernment.

3. Don't try to 'cram in' too much

Finally, white space can be a critical part of your resume presentation.

"Wood states that spacing helps establish visual hierarchy and makes information easier to digest, as many people tend to cram in as much content as possible."

Wood says that if your resume consists of long paragraphs, he imagines it will be difficult to read an email you send him as your boss.

Rewritten sentence: Ensure that there are margins at the top and bottom of your resume, as well as on the sides, and include spaces between sections.

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