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Resume Writing 101 – Keeping The Reader
In Mind
To often jobseekers write their resumes listing everything they did as if
filling out a home loan application. In short: boring! Sure, a hiring
manager needs to know what you have done in your career, but they also
need to QUICKLY understand what you can do for them, not just where you
have worked and your routine responsibilities. This article will give you
resume tips on how to add focus to your resume keeping the reader in mind.
Before you write your own resume, examine professionally written resume
samples to get ideas about writing styles and eye-catching resume formats.
Then, write your resume with the reader in mind. If they are seeking
someone with your background and skill set, be sure to make that the focus
of your resume.
Do not use the resume templates that come with your word processor. They
look like everyone else's resume on the hiring manager's desk.
Take the extra time needed to add visual appeal to your resume. If you are
not able to do this effectively, you should seriously consider retaining
the services of a professional resume writer. Be sure to ask them if they
specialize in creating eye-catching resume formats in addition to their
writing services.
Your goal should be to make a connection between what the hiring manager
is seeking and what you have to offer in those select areas.
To get that message across at first glance, make your objective clear and
visible. You can do this by creating a job title and positioning it
prominently below your name and address. It tells the hiring manager what
you are all about and sets the tone for the rest of the resume.
RESUME HEADING should read in bold and all caps: REGIONAL SALES MANAGEMENT
PROFILE or SUMMARY should tell the hiring manager something about yourself
in a Summary or Profile so they get a sense who of who you are right away
without having to read the entire resume. The Summary should list number
of years of experience, industry, credentials, and key attributes that are
essential to the position you are targeting. For example, if the position
is sales, your attributes would be strong communicator, strategic
negotiator, and ability to establish and build key business relationships.
KEYWORDS SECTION: before you get to the Professional Experience section,
you need to communicate your areas of skills by listing a good amount of
keywords. These can be relationship building, territory sales management,
client consultation, public speaking, sales presentations, contract
negotiations, value-added selling, client training and support.
ACHIEVEMENTS: then you will want to toot your horn a bit by including some
achievements. This approach is very effective because it sells you before
they read one word about your work history.
ACTION VERBS: don't make the mistake of starting every sentence off with
“responsible for.” That is understood. Try playing with action words such
as led, directed, supervised, spearheaded, steered, guided, and executed.
Instead of writing a sentence like this: Responsible for distribution
operations throughout the Metro New York area, consider revising it to
read like this: Managed distribution operations throughout the Metro New
York area. Here’s another example: Led the success of distribution
operations throughout the Metro New York area.
CONSISTENCY: watch for consistency in present and past tense. If you are
no longer with a company, be sure to make it past tense.
Again, review professionally written resume samples to get ideas about
writing styles and eye-catching resume formats. But, make the effort to
make it YOUR OWN!
Written By
Ann Baehr
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Writers
Profile
Ann Baehr is a CPRW and President of Best Resumes of New York.
Notable credentials include her former role as Second Vice President of
NRWA and contribution to 25+ resume and cover letter sample books. To
learn more visit
http://www.e-bestresumes.com or see view resume samples, visit
http://www.e-bestresumes.com/resume_samples.htm
resumesbest@earthlink.net
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