Page 97 - Complete Idiot's Guide to The Perfect Resume

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Chapter 6 ➤ Step One: Heading Your Way

You’ve been putting your name at the tops of papers since you
learned how to write in first grade. It’s so automatic you probably
just plop it there without thinking. Before you do that on your
resume, read on for some tips on how to make your name and
other contact information stand out.

What’s in a Name? Job-Hunt Hint
It’s important that your name
You may have a non-gender-specific first name (such as Chris, Pat,
and contact information appear
or Robin) and want to know if there are some tricks to hint at
at the top of your resume, not at
whether you’re male or female. There are, but before you let your
the bottom of the page because
secret out, be sure that you want the employer to know. The
that’s where it’s traditionally
following two scenarios may help you decide whether you want
placed and where an employer
to keep your gender a mystery.
will expect to find it.
Giving a Clear Signal
In some cases, it’s to the job seeker’s advantage for the employer to know the applicant’s
sex. For instance, Robin Harris (a man) knew that even though sex discrimination is illegal
in the job-placement process, the company for whom he wanted to work gave its most pro-
ductive sales territories to men. Therefore, he wanted the employer to know right off that
he was a man, because that would put him ahead of all the women candidates in the stack
of resumes.

Bonus Check

Contrary to what you might think, your resume is not a formal document—it’s a market-
ing piece that introduces you. So refer to yourself the way you would like to be ad-
dressed. If your first name is Elizabeth, but you want to be called Beth, use Beth in your
Heading section. Middle initials are optional.

Here are a few ways you can clarify your gender on paper:
➤ Use a gender-specific nickname instead of your given name (for example, Rob Harris
instead of Robin Harris).
➤ Include a middle name if it’s clearly male or female (for example, Robin Frank Harris).
➤ Start your name with Mr. or Ms. (for example, Mr. Robin Harris).

If you’re considering this last option, think twice. This technique is seldom used and looks
somewhat awkward. However, if you’re applying within the United States and have an

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