|
|
|
|
15 Tips to Writing a Winning Resumes
by Ann Hackett,
Quest
====================================================
The thought of writing a resume intimidates almost
anyone. It's difficult to know where to start or
what to include. It can seem like an insurmountable
task. Here are 15 tips to help you not only tackle
the task, but also write a winning resume.
1. Determine your job search objective prior to
writing the resume. Once you have determined your
objective, you can structure the content of your resume
around that objective. Think of your objective as the
bull's-eye to focus your resume on hitting. If you write
your resume without having a clear objective in mind,
it will likely come across as unfocused to those that
read it. Take the time before you start your resume to
form a clear objective.
2. Think of your resume as a marketing tool. Think of
yourself as a product, potential employers as your
customers, and your resume as a brochure about you.
Market yourself through your resume. What are your
features and benefits? What makes you unique? Make
sure to convey this information in your resume.
3. Use your resume to obtain an interview, not a job.
You don't need to go into detail about every accomplishment.
Strive to be clear and concise. The purpose of your resume
is to generate enough interest in you to have an employer
contact you for an interview. Use the interview to provide
a more detailed explanation of your accomplishments and to
land a job offer.
4. Use bulleted sentences. In the body of your resume,
use bullets with short sentences rather than lengthy
paragraphs. Resumes are read quickly. This bulleted
sentence format makes it easier for someone to quickly
scan your resume and still absorb it.
5. Use action words. Action words cause your resume to
pop. To add life to your resume, use bulleted sentences
that begin with action words like prepared, developed,
monitored, and presented.
6. Use #'s, $'s and %'s. Numbers, dollars, and
percentages stand out in the body of a resume. Use them.
Here are two examples:
* Managed a department of 10 with a budget of $1,000,000.
* Increased sales by 25% in a 15-state territory.
7. Lead with your strengths. Since resumes are typically
reviewed in 30 seconds, take the time to determine which
bullets most strongly support your job search objective.
Put those strong points first where they are more apt
to be read.
8. Play Match Game. Review want ads for positions that
interest you. Use the key words listed in these ads to
match them to bullets in your resume. If you have missed
any key words, add them to your resume.
9. Use buzzwords. If there are terms that show your
competence in a particular field, use them in your resume.
For marketing people, use "competitive analysis." For
accounting types, use "reconciled accounts."
10. Accent the positive. Leave off negatives and irrelevant
points. If you feel your date of graduation will subject
you to age discrimination, leave the date off your resume.
If you do some duties in your current job that don't support
your job search objective, leave them off your resume. Focus
on the duties that do support your objective. Leave off
irrelevant personal information like your height and weight.
11. Show what you know. Rather than going into depth in
one area, use your resume to highlight your breadth of knowledge.
Use an interview to provide more detail.
12. Show who you know. If you have reported to someone important
such as a vice president or department manager, say so in your
resume. Having reported to someone important causes the reader
to infer that you are important.
13. Construct your resume to read easily. Leave white space.
Use a font size no smaller than 10 point. Limit the length of
your resume to 1-2 pages. Remember, resumes are reviewed quickly.
Help the reader to scan your resume efficiently and effectively.
14. Have someone else review your resume. Since you are so close
to your situation, it can be difficult for you to hit all your
high points and clearly convey all your accomplishments. Have
someone review your job search objective, your resume, and listings
of positions that interest you. Encourage them to ask questions.
Their questions can help you to discover items you inadvertently
left off your resume. Revise your resume to include these items.
Their questions can also point to items on your resume that are
confusing to the reader. Clarify your resume based on this input.
15. Submit your resume to potential employers. Have the courage to
submit your resume. Think of it as a game where your odds of
winning increase with every resume you submit. You really do
increase your odds with every resume you submit. Use a three-tiered
approach. Apply for some jobs that appear to be beneath you.
Perhaps they will t urn out to be more than they appeared to be once
you interview for them. Or perhaps once you have your foot in the
door you can learn of other opportunities. Apply for jobs that seem
to be just at your level. You will get interviews for some of those
jobs. See how each job stacks up. Try for some jobs that seem like
a stretch. That's how you grow -- by taking risks. Don't rule
yourself out. Trust the process. Good luck in your job search!
Ann Hackett is the President of Quest (http://www.QuestCareer.com)
Courtesy:
Google News
If you want to contribute an article (share your views,
experiences and thoughts) write in to us at info@123oye.com
send us your jobs / career related articles. We promise to give
you a chance to put your thoughts across to our visitors.
Jobnet Directory |
About Us |
Contact |
|
