Resume Writing 101 - Keeping The Reader In Mind
To often job seekers write their resumes listing everything they
did as if filling out a home loan application. In short: boring!
Sure, a hiring manager needs to know what you have done in your
career, but they also need to QUICKLY understand what you can do
for them, not just where you have worked and your routine
responsibilities. This article will give you resume tips on how
to add focus to your resume keeping the reader in mind.
Before you write your own resume, examine professionally written
resume samples to get ideas about writing styles and
eye-catching resume formats. Then, write your resume with the
reader in mind. If they are seeking someone with your background
and skill set, be sure to make that the focus of your resume.
Do not use the resume templates that come with your word
processor. They look like everyone else's resume on the hiring
manager's desk.
Take the extra time needed to add visual appeal to your resume.
If you are not able to do this effectively, you should seriously
consider retaining the services of a professional resume writer.
Be sure to ask them if they specialize in creating eye-catching
resume formats in addition to their writing services.
Your goal should be to make a connection between what the hiring
manager is seeking and what you have to offer in those select
areas.
To get that message across at first glance, make your objective
clear and visible. You can do this by creating a job title and
positioning it prominently below your name and address. It tells
the hiring manager what you are all about and sets the tone for
the rest of the resume.
RESUME HEADING should read in bold and all caps: REGIONAL SALES
MANAGEMENT
PROFILE or SUMMARY should tell the hiring manager something
about yourself in a Summary or Profile so they get a sense who
of who you are right away without having to read the entire
resume. The Summary should list number of years of experience,
industry, credentials, and key attributes that are essential to
the position you are targeting. For example, if the position is
sales, your attributes would be strong communicator, strategic
negotiator, and ability to establish and build key business
relationships.
KEYWORDS SECTION: before you get to the Professional Experience
section, you need to communicate your areas of skills by listing
a good amount of keywords. These can be relationship building,
territory sales management, client consultation, public
speaking, sales presentations, contract negotiations,
value-added selling, client training and support.
ACHIEVEMENTS: then you will want to toot your horn a bit by
including some achievements. This approach is very effective
because it sells you before they read one word about your work
history.
ACTION VERBS: don't make the mistake of starting every sentence
off with "responsible for." That is understood. Try playing with
action words such as led, directed, supervised, spearheaded,
steered, guided, and executed. Instead of writing a sentence
like this: Responsible for distribution operations throughout
the Metro New York area, consider revising it to read like this:
Managed distribution operations throughout the Metro New York
area. Here's another example: Led the success of distribution
operations throughout the Metro New York area.
CONSISTENCY: watch for consistency in present and past tense. If
you are no longer with a company, be sure to make it past tense.
Again, review professionally written resume samples to get ideas
about writing styles and eye-catching resume formats. But, make
the effort to make it YOUR OWN!!