Jim Parham, PR Chronicle

Let’s take a quick quiz:

1. A resume should be no more than one page.

True False

2. It is important to put references on the resume.

True False

3. Listing specific classes is a waste of space.

True False

Well unfortunately, the answers are not black and white. But, it is important to dispel the notion that “one rule fits all.” As with most things, there are several factors you should consider when writing, designing and distributing your resume.

First is length. Let’s be frank. It’s hard for some graduating college seniors to fill up one page. And, there’s no reason to list Beer Pong as an extra-curricular activity. Or suggest that scooping ice cream at the student union is a “team-building” experience.

Instead, here is my rule: Your resume should be as long as necessary to properly and fully tell your story to a perspective employer. If you’ve got great stuff (internships, special awards and cool qualifications), then the length of the resume isn’t important.

Question two is an interesting one. References are very important to list if it is, a) Someone known by the potential employer b) A well-known leader in the field.

I’ve called references before and got a big surprise. Who would list someone that gives a lukewarm response? It happens. References should have e-mail addresses. It’s much easier to deal with than hard-copy correspondence. If you are listing uncles, aunts and college roommates as references, I’d leave them off.

Question three is something I find very curious in college resumes. By NOT listing classes with specifics, you are “assuming” we know the college and their degree programs. This is usually not the case. Listing specific classes, such as writing for broadcasting, is specific experience. If you simply put, “BS in Communication,” that tells me nothing. List some representative classes that are geared to that specific employer. If you are applying for a job with a telecommunications firm, you should list telecommunications classes.

Overall guidance is simple: Tell your story completely. Give details that are customized to that specific employer or business line. If it’s a non-profit job, show the volunteer work you did for the animal shelter, etc. Give employers a reason to hire you.

Recently, I’ve seen press reports and heard my students discuss paid internships.
That’s not that unusual. At our advertising/pr company we pay interns and always have.

Oh, wait a minute. My students are talking about PAYING for internships. I’ve seen the stories and heard first-hand that some companies – many through a broker setup – are requiring students to pay for that all-too-important internship experience.

In some cases, it’s a fee of between $5,000 and $10,000 payable by each student. This may include housing, a job and some meals.

What a deal!

While we sit here thinking it’s good to pay students for an equitable arrangement, cash-strapped firms are reversing the roles and getting paid for the positions. But how will that change impact the student and the company?

Interestingly, to me, it puts a big burden on the employer. Think about it. I can envision students suing their host company for not delivering on the promise.

“Well, judge, I paid $10,000 and I was forced to make coffee and run errands to the printing company.”

The burden of responsibility for fulfilling the contract promise lies with the employer. This may forever change the intern/supervisor dynamic that has worked well for a long time.

When you accept payment for something, you’d better deliver the goods or services. While $10,000 may seem small to a corporate giant, it’s a lot of cash for a student to spend to get a foot in the door or networking opportunity.

In one television news report I watched, a paying intern suggested she wasn’t getting all that much hands-on experience, but the social aspects of the office and the networking was great. That seems like an expensive date to me.

The recession and ensuing tight job market have changed things. Today, students are placed into a highly competitive and sparse job market and a bona-fide internship can make all the difference in securing a full-time slot.

Now it appears that experience may come with a big price tag.