Your perspective on resumes ? what they are and how they function ? will doubtless influence how well you can write your own. To create an outstanding resume, begin by questioning and replacing some of the commonly held assumptions about resume writing.
ASSUMPTION: "A resume is a personal history, and prospective employers will read it primarily to learn about past jobs and accomplishments."
Replace with: A resume is best thought of as a proposal, rather than a history.
Although a resume does primarily include information about your personal history, its chief aim should be to convey this information in a way that is highly relevant to the job in question. Thus, the key question to address is: How are you uniquely qualified to do well in the position for which you are applying? Writing to answer this question can turn a dry personal history into an attractive employment proposal.
ASSUMPTION: "My resume probably won't be that important anyway ? it's connections and luck that will get me a job."
Replace with: Revising and improving your resume can play a central role in landing your next job.
No reasonable person would deny that connections and luck help. Nevertheless, not everyone has or finds the right connections, and not everyone wants to wait on luck. Take the initiative, instead, to craft a strong job-search strategy, and include revising your resume as a central piece of this process.
Doing so, at a minimum, will accomplish three things: 1) you will gain clarity on your strengths and all that you have to offer in your next job, 2) you will have an important vehicle for introducing yourself to potential employers, and 3) you will have a springboard for a strong interview.
ASSUMPTION: "The previous version of my resume was good enough, and probably needs very little done to it."
Replace with: Just about any resume, even one used with success before, can benefit from careful scrutiny and periodic revision.
Your resume should evolve as you do. In addition to acquiring new skills, experiences, and accomplishments, you may have shifted in your professional focus or interests. Perhaps you have gained insights into what employers are really looking for in your line of work.
Above all, your resume should be revised so that it is tailored to the employer who will receive it. Even if you have little to add in the way of content, you can always improve your resume by refocusing it on the specifics of the position you are seeking, and by strengthening its wording and overall appearance.
THE BOTTOM LINE (A Winning Perspective):
Take on the task of writing or revising your resume with the conviction that any resume can be made stronger, that you have an important employment proposal to bring to the eyes of potential employers, and that doing so can be the avenue for landing the job you want. It is with this perspective that you will produce a resume good enough to open doors!
© 2005 Ruth Anderson
About the author:
This article is excerpted from the eBook "WRITE RESUMES WITH CONFIDENCE: How to Create Outstanding Resumes and Have the Confidence to Use Them with Success." Learn more about this book and about Ruth Anderson's coaching and consulting services -- including the INTRODUCTION TO COACHING and JOB SEARCH TUNE-UP programs -- at http://www.vantagepointcoaching.com or write mailto:ruth@vantagepointcoaching.com.
We often use the phrase, "Get Your Feet Wet" when... Read More
We naturally hesitate to tell our boss when we can't... Read More
I'll be the first to admit that I hated my... Read More
Is every job description you read the same? No.Is every... Read More
Anyone can find a job. That's right, I said "anyone".... Read More
Dear Job-Seeker:Just as Goldilocks was suspicious of the big bad... Read More
Imagine if a business invested years into the research, design,... Read More
Research suggests that as many as 8 out of 10... Read More
When you're looking to get hired or get promoted, what... Read More
During a job interview, a potential employer asks, "Can you... Read More
Your value proposition is a series of statements defining your... Read More
It's amazing to see so many people who are prepared... Read More
A recent poll conducted by Yahoo! Small Business showed that... Read More
Mystery shopping is an excellent way to make extra money.... Read More
Career change is no walk in the park.If it was... Read More
Anyone reading this article and hassuffered a job loss recently... Read More
In today's economy, job seekers need an edge beyond their... Read More
Going for a job interview can be a harrowing experience.... Read More
When you first get the job offer it will often... Read More
Outsourcing has moved upward in the most-improved columns of efficiency... Read More
Let me introduce you to Ben. He made it happenBen... Read More
The attorneys I coach have one common problem. They don't... Read More
"Stop being such a Pollyanna," a trusted, more experienced colleague... Read More
If you're looking for that promotion or pay rise then... Read More
Many professionals and managers are so involved in day-to-day crises... Read More
Many people today have lost jobs after decades of service;... Read More
Mention "outsourcing" to a programmer and you may as well... Read More
Do you leap out of bed in the morning looking... Read More
Cover Letters: Are you telling them what they want to... Read More
Although interview preparation is everything it's sad to say that... Read More
Today everyone knows at least one person who has lost... Read More
Moving without a job will challenge your identity -- but... Read More
For the person crafting their first résumé the task can... Read More
I remember being asked this question a lot when I... Read More
The successful job search is really just a personal marketing... Read More
An industrious black-tailed ground squirrel has his home beneath a... Read More
Online distance learning has gained rapid popularity with the advent... Read More
Without doubt, job loss through downsizing or redundancy, is a... Read More
(Des Moines, Iowa - February 2, 2005) Behaving appropriately during... Read More
She stretches in the break room for 30 minutes before... Read More
When an employer decides to conduct an interview with you,... Read More
When preparing for your interview, you need to be ready... Read More
You can drown in the "free resume examples," "free resume... Read More
Looking for work is generally a miserable undertaking. No matter... Read More
1. Be CompleteMake sure that your resume includes EVERYTHING your... Read More
Many people would love to get a better job. And... Read More
As the old saying goes, "you never get a second... Read More
Working abroad can be an exciting, rewarding and horizon broadening... Read More
Have you ever wanted to become a computer consultant, but... Read More
Other than actually landing the interview itself and living through... Read More
Here are some of the questions we have been asked... Read More
Current trends in business are conspiring to create a revolution... Read More
You'll get wet but the reward just might be a... Read More
A friend was just promoted to a position of vice-president... Read More
There are definitely things that you can do to avoid... Read More
Have you ever heard of liquid air? The process of... Read More
1. Employee Backdrop in AustraliaThe whole arena of Industrial Relations... Read More
A new resume can jump-start your career. Your network contacts... Read More
Every May we celebrate Mother's Day-a time to tell mothers... Read More
The Internet is a very useful tool for job seekers... Read More
Background checks are utilized by companies today to decide whether... Read More
That's not you? Great! Bad habits are hard to break... Read More
These days, interviews don't come easily. When you get The... Read More
Moving into a new job always involves some degree of... Read More
Anyone reading this article and hassuffered a job loss recently... Read More
Many people turn a beloved hobby into a vocation. They... Read More
Careers, Jobs & Employment |