In today's competitive job market, a first class resume is an essential tool for winning an interview. The way in which you present your skills, achievements and experience on paper will profoundly affect the way in which a hiring company considers your application.
An expertly crafted resume not only captures the attention of its reader through careful attention to layout and formatting; it also targets the specific needs of the potential employer by matching and highlighting your abilities and background to the key requirements of the position.
So what exactly is the 'perfect resume'?
It's well-nigh impossible to get recruitment professionals to agree on this. For example, take the vexed question of the 'resume objective'. Some employers prefer to see a clearly stated objective as evidence of a candidate's career focus; others consider including an objective to be a restrictive practice -- or worse, little more than vague waffle.
So in the pursuit of a truly personalized resume, it's hardly surprising that effective practice differs from applicant to applicant -- and what suits one job-hunter may not work so well for another.
And while it's impossible to lay down hard and fast rules of best practice in resume writing, it's a whole lot easier to identify some of the habits that can turn recruiters right off -- perhaps even sabotage a candidate's chances from the start!
In this article, I've collected some of these common resume blunders -- so if you're looking to upgrade your resume, here's a checklist of seven easy ways to start!
1. Don't rely on a 'one size fits all' resume
If your resume is going to get you the interviews you deserve, it needs to focus on the particular demands of the job. So unless your field is very narrow, it's likely that you'll need to adapt your resume to each specific application.
To help you target your resume, try answering these questions:
When you profile the 'ideal candidate' in this way, you're putting yourself in the employer's shoes: thinking first about what matters to them and imagining what they'll be looking for when they make a short list from all the applications they'll receive.
This is a really useful exercise to help you decide which of your own abilities and achievements to spotlight in your resume.
2. Make sure you include complete contact information
Your cover letter may get separated from the resume. Don't blithely assume that because your address and telephone number are in the cover letter, they don't need to be on the resume as well -- they do!
If the employer wants to get hold of you, they'll likely use the phone. So ensure that you give a personal number (including area code) where you can be reached during the day or where messages can be left. Include a cell phone number and e-mail address where possible.
3. Make the resume easy to read
Don't print your resume in any font size smaller than 11 pt. Be liberal with white space and remember that bullet points in a list help a reader to absorb information.
You can emphasize headers and key points by discreet use of bold type, capitals or underlining -- but don't overdo the effect.
Consider going on to a second sheet if a single page is crammed.
4. Seize the reader's interest in the first few lines
If your application is one of dozens or even hundreds received, you need to capture the attention of the reader in just a few seconds. The best way to focus interest at the start is with a powerful objective -- or, if you prefer it, a skills summary. It's the place to emphasize your key achievements and core expertise and identify specific job goals.
The employer wants a straight answer to the question 'What can this person do for me?' -- so make your profile easy to read and give a clear statement of what you can bring to the job.
5. Don't underplay your achievements and experience
You've already imagined what the perfect candidate for the job would be like. So now focus on those aspects of your own background and skill set that best illustrate those attributes.
Highlight your key accomplishments and areas of authority and, wherever possible, use action verbs and statements that quantify what you have achieved. But don't get creative here: make sure you give evidence for your claims.
6. Order your information according to what the reader wants to know
There's no single correct order of elements in a resume. Everything depends on what the employer or recruiter is most interested in finding out.
In general, put your most relevant material first! Many recruiters like a reverse chronological order of dates.
Also be aware that some employers dislike a purely functional resume format and feel that it glosses over gaps in work history or other shortcomings.
7. Check your spelling and grammar
There's no substitute for careful proofreading of your resume. Use grammar and spell checking software by all means, but be aware that it may not always pick up contextual errors.
Print the document and check it on paper rather than on screen. If possible, ask a reliable friend or relative to double check for mistakes. Don't forget to check that you have spelled names correctly.
Conclusion: keep developing your resume
Your resume is a powerful marketing tool. It will always be a 'work in progress', constantly needing updates and refinements according to changing circumstances. If you're planning or conducting a job search, redrafting your resume could be one of the best investments you make towards your future career success.
Nigel Patterson is a business writer and publisher of http://1st-class-resume.com/.
Visit his website for more tips and advice on writing an effective resume and cover letter, resume distribution and preparing for a job interview.
Online distance learning has gained rapid popularity with the advent... Read More
Not everyone is cut out to be a mortgage processor.... Read More
While most professionals hire a professional resume writer, some draft... Read More
"The Baratarian pirates also offered their services. Even though an... Read More
Writing an effective résumé can certainly be challenging. There are... Read More
I'll quickly cover the following:A) Why Network With People? B)... Read More
You've seen the commercials and web sites about starting medical... Read More
It's startling to discover how having kids changes the way... Read More
Jobs for copy editors may seem like they are hard... Read More
An interviewer's mission is to assess your qualifications compared to... Read More
Question: How do I market myself online?Answer: With a stellar... Read More
Figure out what you want to do.You can't write an... Read More
Finding freelance writing jobs require great skill, dedication and lots... Read More
The dot com boom of 1990s brought with it a... Read More
For those who are fluent in another language, foreign language... Read More
When you're looking to get hired or get promoted, what... Read More
After establishing a trusting relationship with the safety officer, it... Read More
by Lesli Peterson, Business Analyst, VCGwith Phil McCutchen,... Read More
Will cubicles be a distant memory for today's workforce? Will... Read More
Ugh! Arg! How can a survivor type job be good... Read More
Recently we concluded the placement of a Senior Sales Representative... Read More
The story goes that after one of Ludwig van Beethoven's... Read More
You know you're good...real good. The problem, though, is that... Read More
Determine your ideal career--one that's in alignment with your values,... Read More
There is little doubt that Americans still have a deep... Read More
You've looked at all the job interview tips and techniques.... Read More
In our ever changing world where job competition is rampant... Read More
Salary and Benefits NegotiationOne of the most difficult aspects of... Read More
"Know your Ruling Star. One man is better received by... Read More
You've been through an employer's interview process successfully and have... Read More
Don't just sit there and bob your head, waiting to... Read More
"I've heard you talk about building a website to get... Read More
Starting a new job can feel like moving to a... Read More
Searching for employment is one of the most nerve-racking activities... Read More
I received the following questions from a visitor to my... Read More
In the 80s while I was an account executive for... Read More
Just about every month, there's a new research report detailing... Read More
Studies show that more than 50% of people are unhappy... Read More
The question confronting most people who want to find a... Read More
Your perspective on resumes ? what they are and how... Read More
If you are dissatisfied with your job, you are in... Read More
Mystery shoppers are people who are hired to scrutinize employees,... Read More
The successful job search is really just a personal marketing... Read More
Current trends in business are conspiring to create a revolution... Read More
Many job seekers miss a golden opportunity when they are... Read More
Does a headline like this scare you? it should because... Read More
Have you ever tried to contact a past employer only... Read More
This "fruit for thought" article is for all human beings,... Read More
I coined this word to draw attention to the nervous... Read More
Q. I didn't get a job that I interviewed for.... Read More
Question: How do I market myself online?Answer: With a stellar... Read More
While traveling in northern California last October, I happened... Read More
Look upon yourself as a company with a product or... Read More
I'll define what I mean by these terms. "The Controller"... Read More
"You don't have to take life the way it comes... Read More
Do you have a tendency to think in absolutes?Is everything... Read More
After completing their translation training programmes at higher professional education... Read More
Are you desperately trying to find a telecommute job so... Read More
About four years ago a friend told me one night... Read More
It is commonly believed myth that personality testing instruments can... Read More
Common sense at work: Such qualities as loyalty, energy, intelligence... Read More
The need to tell people about yourself may present itself... Read More
Making Your Future Work Better For YouIt's the commonest concern... Read More
Mobile oil change and mobile lubes are great for fleet... Read More
After establishing a trusting relationship with the safety officer, it... Read More
One of the fastest growing sectors of the medical industry... Read More
Careers, Jobs & Employment |