Employers - what do you want in a resume?

I have not done a formal job interview since I graduated in 1999, and only 2 less formal interviews (both jobs I was offered, had to choose which to take)
I think my resume is pretty good, format wise. cover letter (per job tailored to what the employer wants), 2-5 pages, word template, standard fonts etc.

But what to employers look for, format and content wise I am getting such conflicting advice.

some say don't include DOB, address, citizenship, others say all this and a photo.
Some say don't focus on the main tasks you did - hello what do you want to know then?
How do I tell you about my skills and experience if you don't want to know what I did?
Is it always OK to ring and ask for further information about what they are looking for, is this a good idea?

and what the heck is an objective statment?

Hi mods - can you please move this to the General forum, thats where I meant to put it!

RayRay - an objective statement is your objectives meaning your aims... what are your aims for the position you are going for? what would you like to achieve whilst working for them etc? your goals... your hopes... etc Thats what they ask for in cover letters (from memory?)

I'm selfemployed so not sure if i can help you. DF and I have our own business and we manage it also. I know that if we are looking for a staff member, we are looking for skills #1, that is the most important thing for us, then #2 personality, how they relate to us and how they present themselves #3 their motivation/willingness to learn and have challenges.... (mind you these are in no particular order) but i would have to say what current skills you have and what you are willing to learn that is what employers are after...

Apply for a job, even if you don't have the skills but if it interests you and you really want to learn it, then go for it! Apply! Remember when applying for jobs you don't always need to write the "typical" resume... as in "dear ### I am applying for your job as.... etc" shake it up a little, put some energy into your resume/cover letter and really show them what you are made of. It can't hurt. Just remember not to use pretty colours and sparkles etc, employers dont care about that sorta thing!! lol and try not to have your resume too long.. i would not go longer than 2 pages.. they just don't have time to read it all....

You want your resume to stand out against everyone elses, even those with skills that you dont have already... you want to stand out so you get the chance at the interview. does that make sense?

My sister was applying for jobs and jobs and jobs etc years ago and she was skilled too, in what she was applying for, but it got to a point where she was so tired of noone listening to her that she wrote a resume out (different to what she was used to) and sent it to lots of diff people and from memory she got a few interviews all of a sudden!!!!!

I can't tell you what she wrote cos i cant remember but it must have been good.... she was 'original'...

Make yourself stand out :P Good luck!!!! I hope that helps, i'm just going off my experiences....

ps most employers don't really care about your hobbies, your yr8 certificates etc, they care what skills you have and if you are willing to learn, and show INITIATIVE too... try only to put in your resume what skills you have that will be able to help you in that particular job you are going for... so if you are going for different types of jobs then each resume might differ from the last one IYKWIM....

Email me if you like. I used to be an IT Recruitment Consultant pre-babies... I'm very good with resumes :)