Writing a Resume
posted in Resumes |
The very first thing you need to do when writing a resume is decide what name should be at the top. You might think that’s a silly question, but consider that it is the very first thing that is seen by a potential employer.
Ask yourself which is more engaging: “Thomas W. Smith III” or “Tom Smith”? My personal philosophy is that people hire people they like so you want to create as friendly an atmsophere as possible. So if you are not called Thomas W. on the job, then Tom Smith would be my choice.
In some circumstances, such as academic or scientific CV’s or executive bios, a formal name is appropriate. But in general, a formal name does not exude a warm and friendly message and should not be used.
