Q. I keep seeing job postings that ask for things like “knowledge of AP style” and “knowledge of content management systems” — things I don’t currently have listed on my resume, as I had thought of these as a given, rather than as a preferred skill.
Should these things be on your resume? How do you list them without wasting space?
Emma
A. Thanks for the question. I’ve seen your resume and it is full. I would not list Associated Press style on my resume, and I would not put it in my cover letter. Instead, demonstrate that you know it by using it in your cover letter and resume. I once wrote about the top six AP style errors I see on resumes.
As for content management systems, that’s a one-liner: “Have worked in these CMS environments: Saxotech, Drupal, Ellington” or “Experience with Web and blog content management systems.”
If only a few employers are asking about your CMS experience, throw the line into your cover letter for those employers.
What’s your resume question? E-mail it to me at joe.grimm@gmail.com. I’ll answer you soon.
Coming Friday: He got all the way to the reference-checking stage and then missed out on the job. Did someone say something bad? Can he ask the employer?
