Recently I was asked to touch up a friend's resume. Her challenge was simple. She was a stay-at-home mom who had not worked in four years. A difficult task however, with the information in this section, I generated a listing of skills she did not know she had. Here is a partial list. (Organized, patient, detail oriented, energetic, ability to multitask, works well under pressure and capable of meeting deadlines) Now ask yourself, what company would not want their new employee to showcase these skills?
The resume is a job search tool that highlights accomplishments by stating your
profile, experience and education in a brief, yet concise, summary.
Why A Resume?
The resume is your first introduction to the employer. It is the first work sample they will see. Your resume should interest the reader to the degree that he or she wants to interview you. Remember the process of selection is first a process of elimination. Employers use the resume to determine whom they will call for further consideration.
For the resume, select white, cream, beige or gray colored paper. Brightly colored paper does not enhance a resume! A good bond is preferable over color. Buy envelopes to match the paper you select. Never handwrite your address; a handwritten envelope is very unprofessional. If you have spent time preparing the perfect resume and have printed it onto quality paper, don't blow it with a poor presentation. By sending your information in a cheap envelope that you have scribbled an address across, the whole positive effect is destroyed. KEY POINTS TO CREATING A WINNING RESUME
? Resumes do not get job offers; they are successful if you are offered an interview.
? Describe your experience, not the job.
? Keep terminology simple and direct. Avoid technical jargon unless the resume is specifically targeted to a company or industry that understands the terms. Remember, the first person who sees the resume may be a clerical person and may not be familiar with the terminology. Use sparingly.
? Your resume is a personal marketing brochure, be sure to highlight relevant work experience and accomplishments.
? Support your profile throughout your resume.
? Resumes are not read ? they are skimmed. Often, first impressions are made within 10-20 seconds.
? Appearance is paramount! Neatness counts. The resume must be perfect. No typos or misspelled words. (Don't rely on spell checker). A proofreading hint: read the document backwards.
Tip: Make sure your resume has a clear focus. Like many, you probably have experience in more than one field. Be careful not to sue one resume for all situations. Instead, create two or more resumes that show your abilities as a?and another that stresses your experience in?Target each to the specific companies that are looking for those specific skills.
Tip: Stress your achievements in your resume. Support your profile by providing specific (use numbers of sales made or people recruited, etc.) evidence of past and future accomplishments that prove you add value. Outline how you have made improvements, saved your former employer money, done innovative work, or solved problems. Do this and companies will want to interview you because they believe that you can do the same for their enterprise.
Brian Stephenson is the author of, "Job Search Boot Camp", the most hard-hitting, step-by-step job search course that takes each student by the hand and shows them how to create powerful resumes that get results, stunning cover letters that command interviews, and winning interview thank you letters that get you hired? Imagine for a moment what is possible for you if you had access to these forbidden secrets. For more information on the Job Search Boot Camp course, visit http://www.JobSearchBootCamp.com
Many job seekers miss a golden opportunity when they are... Read More
Happy New Year! The forecasts are in agreement: Hiring is... Read More
Writing an effective résumé can certainly be challenging. There are... Read More
If you are working for someone else, it is important... Read More
The thought of writing a resume intimidates... Read More
How many times have you heard or read, "Our employees... Read More
If you're reading this article, I'm sure I don't have... Read More
In the limited time an interviewer has with you, their... Read More
If you ever studied any probability theory in high school... Read More
Having spent the last few years of my career in... Read More
You may be astonished to realize that retrenchment may occur... Read More
Have you gotten tons of career advice, solicited and unsolicited?... Read More
A part of you can't wait to dive into your... Read More
An employment interview is a goal oriented conversation in which... Read More
INTRODUCTIONThis article will prepare you for the difficult task of... Read More
So you've managed to secure a job interview for a... Read More
If you're looking for a way to earn a living... Read More
Will cubicles be a distant memory for today's workforce? Will... Read More
Do you have what it takes to become an FBI... Read More
If you still picture a steady progression up the ladder... Read More
You say you want a new career, you say you... Read More
Your mouth is dry, your palms are sweaty, your heart... Read More
Your perspective on resumes ? what they are and how... Read More
You are about to compete for the best people again.... Read More
As a head-hunter and Career Coach I see so many... Read More
Preparing your resume can often seem like a daunting task.... Read More
Are you searching for a job? Here are some tips... Read More
So that you can decide just how critical your job... Read More
Yes, it's still possible to be upwardly mobile in America:... Read More
Here's a continuation of my article from a few months... Read More
Have you ever tried to contact a past employer only... Read More
Many young adults flock to bars, lounges and clubs on... Read More
One of the fastest growing sectors of the medical industry... Read More
Gone are the days of the bland, generic one-page resume.... Read More
Here's a list of the top 10 tips you can... Read More
A relationship expert once said that during an argument, there's... Read More
Many people can easily write a resume in just a... Read More
It's hard to believe that there are people in today's... Read More
Writing a cover letter to send with your résumé can... Read More
If you haven't looked for a job recently, there are... Read More
If you're wondering how to become a real estate agent,... Read More
I received the following questions from a visitor to my... Read More
Feel somehow your life is stuck in MS-OFFICE ? The... Read More
There are a great number of good reasons for someone... Read More
Then let me start by helping out. The politically correct... Read More
It is hard to be a stay at home mom.... Read More
Does it seem that with every passing year it's getting... Read More
Your perspective on resumes ? what they are and how... Read More
In a day of background checks, pre-employment drug screening and... Read More
How was your latest car wash experience?Did you take your... Read More
Careers, Jobs & Employment Careers, Jobs & Employment |
|