|
10 Tips For Writing A Winning Resume
Your resume (or curriculum vitae), combined with the coverletter, are the master keys to opening the prospectiveemployer's mind and door so that you can proceed to thenext step in the process - the big interview! RESUME WRITING TIPS AND STRATEGIES Here are 10 valuable tips for anyone writing their ownresume, or who is having someone else write one for them.These tips and strategies are an abridged version of whatis contained in my new eBook, "Instant Home Writing Kit". 1. Keep It Focused and Businesslike A resume should be specific and all business. Don't try tobe too smart or too cute. After all, you are asking anemployer to invest significant time and money by choosingyou over many other similarly qualified people. Employersmainly want to know whether you are appropriately qualifiedand experienced, and if you have the ability to "deliverthe goods." 2. More Than Two Pages Is Too Much For students, recent graduates, or people with just a fewyears of experience, try to keep your resume to one page,two as an absolute maximum. Even a resume for someone with20 years or more of extensive working experience, shouldnot exceed three pages. In some cases, one or two "optional"pages can be referred to as "available upon request." Thesewould be such optional annexes as a list of references oran inventory of recent projects and/or publications. 3. Get The Words and Punctuation Right Make sure the grammar, spelling, and punctuation in yourresume are perfect. Any obvious mistakes will hurt yourcredibility. Also, be sure to keep the language clear andsimple. If you draft it yourself, have someone withexcellent writing skills do an editorial review and acareful proofread of it. If a professional prepares it foryou, such reviews are the responsibility of the resumepreparation firm. Use an accepted English language "styleguide" if you want to be sure of the finer points of wordusage, punctuation, capitalization, abbreviations, etc. 4. Read Between The Lines Customize the resume to match the stated requirements ofthe job that you are applying for, without being misleading.Review and analyze the job advertisement carefully. Lookfor and itemize the key qualifications, skills, andabilities the employer is seeking. Then identify certainkey words that are usually repeated in such ads. Make surethat the wording and sequence of points in your resumereflect and address these "corporate terminologies" and"code words" as much as possible. When possible, study thecompany's annual report and Web site, and weave the themesand terms found there into your resume and cover letter. 5. Make Sure It Looks Good Use a crisp, clean, simple presentation format for aprofessional looking resume. Just a bit of simple line workand/or shading, done with standard word processing softwarewill do the trick. If you don't have the aptitude for this,there is most likely someone among your friends or in youroffice who can help you achieve a professional presentation.If not, seek professional advice. It won't cost much for agood simple layout, but it will make a world of differenceto the product. 6. Show What You Can Do Today Focus, first and foremost, on your recent experience thatis most relevant to the position at hand. Less relevantand/or dated experience should be either eliminated orsummarized in brief point form near the end of your resume.When reviewing your resume information, a prospectiveemployer wants to know what you are doing now, what youhave done recently, and how that relates to the jobrequirements of the post they are trying to fill. 7. Be A Straight-Shooter Be completely honest. When people lie or "creativelyexaggerate" on their resume, they are almost invariablyexposed, sooner or later. Think about it - who reallywants to get a job based on a lie(s) and then have to livein fear of eventually being found out? We often read in thenewspaper about high-profile folks who get caught in aresume falsehood or exaggeration, and it isn't very pretty. 8. Follow The Instructions Submit your resume in exactly the form that the prospectiveemployer requests. If they say e-mail or fax is okay, do itthat way. However, if they ask for it by regular mail, sendit the way they ask. They must have reasons for requestingit in such a form and they are geared up to process it thatway. If your resume is to be sent by snail mail, use thecomplete address that they specify, or it could go to thewrong office, especially in a large organization. 9. Don't Get Lost In The Mail Be careful to respect certain conventions that the potentialemployer may require in your resume. For example, make surethat the cover letter mentions the exact name of thespecific position you are applying for, and the competitionnumber, if applicable. Sometimes an employer will requestthat the job title and/or number be printed on the outsideof the envelope. You would not want to miss out on a jobbecause you didn't follow minor administrative requirements. 10. Keep The Cover Short and Focused In the cover letter, don't repeat what is already detailedin the body of the attached resume. It is a "cover" letter.It should be short and to the point. Introduce yourselffirst, and then briefly summarize why you believe that youhave the qualifications and experience to fulfill theduties of the position better than anyone else. Expressenthusiasm about the job and the company. Close by statinghow you are looking forward to hearing more from them soon,and that you will follow-up if necessary. The above list can be used as a "checklist" both duringthe preparation phase, and when reviewing your resume justbefore submission. To see a fully-formatted "real-life template" of a resume,you can check out the following link: http://writinghelp-central.com/resume-sample2.html © 2005 by Shaun Fawcett Shaun Fawcett, is webmaster of the popular writing help siteWritingHelp-Central.com. He is also the author of severalbest selling "writing toolkit" eBooks. All of his eBooks andhis internationally acclaimed f-r-e-e course, "Tips and TricksFor Writing Success" are available at his writing tools site:http://www.writinghelptools.com
MORE RESOURCES:
Jobs City of Rochester (.gov)
Careers Washington State University
Careers Gwinnett County Public Schools
JobFeed NSW Department of Education
|
|
|
|
RELATED ARTICLES
Why Are 95% of Job Applicants Not Called Back?
Have you been desperately looking for a job and keep coming up short? Despite all that you do, does every attempt you make seem to fail? Are you at that point of quitting? Ever wonder why you have not been called back? Not long ago, I was right where you are. I was all over the place, running here and there looking for the magic pill to help me.
Unemployment Survival: Creating a Sense of Security
In a time of economic downturn, international turmoil, company restructuring and corporate mergers run amok, thousands of people are either out of work or fearful of losing their jobs.Is there, then, such a thing as job security?No job, in itself, is totally secure.
How You Can Find Opportunities For Foreign Language Proof Reading Work
For those who are fluent in another language, foreign language (ie non-English) proof reading can be a great source of income. It is a difficult area for those who are not fluent to get into though.
Are Your Intentions Clear in Your Job Search?
1. Do you REALLY know what you want?2.
5 Interviewing Tips To Get That Job!
Anyone who is a jobseeker knows that looking for a new job or career is a job in itself. Once you have completed the laborious task of writing your resume and submitting it to various companies, you now have to pass the screen test to get the job.
Job Interviews: Use the Personal Touch to Get a Job
A study conducted by the Journal of Consumer Research in 1995 showed that sales people who used their prospects' names generated a 239% increase in sales. In today's fast-paced world, that personal touch is even more important.
What Is Your Greatest Weakness?
The fastest way to make a good interview go bad is to avoid questions posed by the hiring manager. The one question candidates love to avoid is, "What is your greatest weakness?" Most candidates are quick to respond with superficial answers such as "I'm a workaholic" or "I'm a perfectionist.
What You Should Know About A Medical Billing Specialist
Whether you are a person who is thinking about becoming a medical billing specialist or a company looking for a medical billing specialist, then this article is for you. There are several things that you should be aware of in the medical billing industry and I will walk you through them so that you will have the background information that you need to help you make a decision that will best suit your needs.
Is A Career a Calling or Choice?
How much of our career path is destiny and how much is free will? In my opinion, it is 50/50. We are given a life map at the beginning of our lives, and there are things we are meant to learn, people we are meant to meet, work we are meant to perform.
Career Change: From Suits & Sales to Boots & Rails
Peter Humleker had it made. As the general manager of a successful car dealership, he was earning an impressive income.
Writing a Must-Read Cover Letter
If you want to land an interview, you'll need more than a perfectly polished resume, you'll also need a perfectly polished cover letter.A cover letter does more than provide a mere introduction, it gives the employer an opportunity to see why you are the right candidate for the job-before she even takes a look at your resume! By taking the time to customize a cover letter to each job opportunity, you can almost guarantee that your resume will get a good look instead of landing a permanent home in the circular file-or worse, the recycling bin.
Three Ways to Transition to a New Career
As a Certified Personnel Consultant working for Find Great People International in Greenville, South Carolina, I receive telephone calls from people who are considering a career change. For some, transitioning to a new career is easier than others.
The Not-So-Effective Cover Letter
Here's a newsflash: Cover letters work, plain and simple. This is why I'm intrigued by the fact that a) jobseekers rarely submit them and b) hiring managers seldom read them.
How To Write A Resume, Avoid These Resume Mistakes
HOW TO WRITE A RESUME-MISTAKE #1NEVER USE THE WRONG PAPER!What kind of paper should you choose when typing your resume? The color of paper you will want to use will be white or ivory. You will also want to type your resume on a heavier paper, such as a 20 lb.
How to Become a Successful Freelance Translator
After completing their translation training programmes at higher professional education or university level, many students can't wait to set up as a freelance translator. However, gaining a foothold as a freelancer in a very competitive translation market may turn out to be a pretty complicated business.
Can Nurses Be Entrepreneurs?
Yes, Nurses can be entrepreneurs. In today's market place nursing has a unique service to offer not only to hospitals but nursing homes, private care and doctor offices.
Revitalize Your Recruiting for 2005
Happy New Year! The forecasts are in agreement: Hiring is on the rise. 2005 will mark the revitalization of our economy.
The Computer-Friendly Resume
The evolution of technology is changing the traditional methods for job searching and recruiting. More and more companies are now relying on computers to initiate the process of hiring and are filling their database with candidates with skills that are easily searchable.
Giving Notice: 6 Things to Do To Prepare to Leave
After days, weeks, months or longer of interviewing, you have received a job offer that meets your needs and have decided to give notice to your employer and resign your current job.1.
Match, Meet, and Mesmerize at a Job Fair
Are you considering another trip through the career maze? Attending a job fair can make you feel like you are playing a losing game unless you have a clear understanding of the rules. Here are a few suggestions for making the most of any job fair, and gaining a competitive edge.
|