Resume Writing - 3 Tips For Success
Resume writing is possibly the biggest stumbling block for folks
who are looking for a job. While it may seem simple, there are
allot of subtle things that really matter. Potential employers
are flooded with resumes in response to their job postings, and
you only have a few short moments to make it or your resume will
end up in the trash. So, how do you optimize your resume to make
it likely to get read? Here are 3 great tips to get you started.
1. Be Comprehensive, yet Succinct.
While your resume should contain a detailed account of your
qualifications and accomplishments, you need to keep on topic
specific to the job you are applying for. If you are applying
for a position as an office manager, for example, you don't need
to include references to your stint as a rodeo clown. The
prospective employer will likely be interested only in the
skills and work experience that relates directly to the position
they are trying to fill. Give them what they are looking for.
Take a thorough account of your work history and skillset and
choose to highlight what is relevant, and eliminate or downplay
the items that are irrelevant. This strategy of niche resume
writing keeps your resume focused and gives you the advantage of
appearing to be the most qualified candidate for the job.
2. Your Resume Should be Formatted Nicely
Kooky fonts and such may be okay for personal communications,
but your resume should be more "standardized". You want it to
appear as neat and tidy as... well, yourself, right? A
typewritten resume using standard fonts such as Times New Roman
and Arial on high quality plain white paper will be a winner
every time. You also need to pay close attention to your
spelling, punctuation, and grammar. Nothing would be more
embarrassing than a resume with typos, grammatical errors, and
misspellings. Not only embarrassing, but presenting a resume
with errors will not impress potential employers and will likely
land your resume in the trash can. Don't rely on computer based
spelling and grammar checks. Check it yourself, and if possible,
get someone else to check it for you as well. Also be wary of
the reformatting that sometimes happens when you upload your
resume to an Internet based resume submission service. Allot of
times, you will loose your careful formatting only to find it
replaced with the wrong margin, strange fonts and worse. Before
you send it, check it!
3. Show Enthusiasm
Your resume and cover letter should not be something that you
write begrudgingly. You are excited about the job you are
applying for, correct? Well, then show it! Your excitement will
come across in your resume and cover letter and will impress
perspective employers. Whenever it makes sense to, use action
words to describe your career history and goals.