• The official blog of Abacus Group — a place to share our knowledge and thoughts on trends in recruiting •

When writing your first professional resume, GPA and internships are not the only thing interviewers and recruiters will be looking at. Having participated in a variety of extracurriculars not only shows that you are a well-rounded individual, but also that you have gained experiences and skills that are not always attained in the classroom.

“It’s important to build a personal brand because it’s the only thing you’re going to have. Your reputation online, and in the new business world is pretty much the game, so you’ve got to be a good person. You can’t hide anything, and more importantly, you’ve got to be out there at some level.” -Gary Vaynerchuk of VaynerMedia

A good resume is essential to securing an interview. It is the first impression employers capture of your personal brand and as such should portray you in the best light possible.

“It’s best to be honest without going in to too much detail. If you took time off to travel or tend to a sick family member, that’s fine. If you were let go due to restructuring or a job moving out of town, that’s fine too.”

Resume writing services are absolutely everywhere—but will someone else’s version of this essential professional document improve your prospects of getting hired? Abacus Group’s recruiters, who review hundreds of applications daily and know what hiring managers seek from candidates, have a few critiques of “store-bought” resumes.