Some real, live Search Committee members answered the question: What would you tell ministers about improving their resumes?

Remember your audience.  Typically, church leaders are leaders in the community.  They respect proper communication.  Things like good grammar and sentence structure communicate as loudly as what you say.  Check “spell check.”  “There” is misspelled if you meant “their.”

Avoid text message and email styles.  “Do U think IM gr8?”  is not impressive on a resume.

Address the gaps in employment history.  This keeps the committee from assuming the worst.  Put all information in chronological order.

Stay relevant.  Too many lists make the Search Committee want to ignore the resume

A picture is a huge plus. (Unless of course, you resemble me.)  And pictures should be professionally done.

List references.  “References available on request” requires them to do work they don’t have time to do.

Make sure the resume is current.  Saying you have a 6 year old daughter when she was born in 2001 indicates that you did not do any work on your resume.   Also include upgrades in your training. 

Show how your ministry made a difference in the churches you served.

Don’t say negative things about former churches or supervisors.  You look bad, they don’t.

Disclose any controversial opinions you hold in the resume.  It is honest, and while it may disqualify you in some churches, such opinions will be favorably received in other churches.

Include supervision responsibilities.  In a growing church, every staff position will sooner or later include supervising others. 

Include some information about how you were called to ministry.

http://www.joemckeever.com/mt/archives/001443.html#more has one of the best templates for preparing a ministerial resume.

 You can post a resume at the ABSC website.  www.absc.org 

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