Question by Sarah S: How should I tailor my resume for a job fair?
I have been out of the job market for a few years (raising kids) and will be attending a job fair in the fall. I am interested in several types of careers (customer service, sales, publications) as my experience, interest, and education covers all these areas. Is it acceptable to hand out a resume that does not state a clear objective?

Best answer:

Answer by Buy the Numbers
It is acceptable, but it is also a waste of your (and the employer’s time). Employers look for easy ways to weed through resumes. I once had a guy apply for two drastically different positions in the company and in his cover letter he asked to be considered for “the one that paid more.” He may have been qualified for at least one of the positons, but I never even read his resume after that.

You have to think from the employer’s perspective: would you hirer someone who’s resume basically says: if you’re hiring, I’m applying/give me any job you have?

I’d just go with multiple resumes, one for each general position: ie, a sales resumes with an objective as a sales associate or sales maneger AND emphasizing the sales experience in your previous positions. a customer service resume emphasizing interactions with customers, etc. Don’t tailor just the objective.

Also, unlike this answer, make sure to spell check your resume electronically, and then spell-check a printout manually.

It is a lot more work with separate resumes, but compared to the potential payoff (a job), it is worth it.

Know better? Leave your own answer in the comments!