Take Your Resume Seriously
"You only get one chance to make a first impression." In the professional world, that first chance is your resume. I have seen hundreds of resumes and it is still shocking to me, that most resumes look like some dreaded homework essay that no one wants to write or read. Resumes are an important tool for landing the job you deserve. They are easy to write and easy to make stand out. Here are some tips to help you with your resume writing process.
Grammar, spelling, punctuation - Use the grammar and spell check function, then print it out and read the document word for word. Spell checker doesn't know that you meant "manager" when you actually typed "manger".
Use the right language - The cover letter can tell a quick story that lets the reader know about your personality and the rest of the resume can showcase your skills and experience, but don't forget to pepper in the right language. Use the occasional industry term to indicate to the hiring manager that you are experienced in the industry.
Get focused - Nothing kills a resume like being to general. Showcase the skills that apply to a specific job role. If you want to apply for multiple positions, then make multiple resumes. Do NOT make a resume that you want to try to use across multiple industries and jobs.
Education section - When you have a degree, list only the year that you obtained your degree. When you list your dates, (i.e.: 9/1998 to 1/2002) many resume-scanning systems will not recognize that you obtained a degree, only that you attended college for a period of time.
Use more action verbs: supervised, organized, learned, contributed, etc. The freshers in the industry can highlight their responsibilities at the college/school level.
Whatever you do, don't blend in to the rest of the resumes on the stack. Use powerful language, color, and stories to stand out. Trust me, the person reading it does not care too much about exact dates and section headings. Tell them a story and appeal to their senses, interests, or whatever you can. Strike a chord with them and they will strike a deal with you.
Grammar, spelling, punctuation - Use the grammar and spell check function, then print it out and read the document word for word. Spell checker doesn't know that you meant "manager" when you actually typed "manger".
Use the right language - The cover letter can tell a quick story that lets the reader know about your personality and the rest of the resume can showcase your skills and experience, but don't forget to pepper in the right language. Use the occasional industry term to indicate to the hiring manager that you are experienced in the industry.
Get focused - Nothing kills a resume like being to general. Showcase the skills that apply to a specific job role. If you want to apply for multiple positions, then make multiple resumes. Do NOT make a resume that you want to try to use across multiple industries and jobs.
Education section - When you have a degree, list only the year that you obtained your degree. When you list your dates, (i.e.: 9/1998 to 1/2002) many resume-scanning systems will not recognize that you obtained a degree, only that you attended college for a period of time.
Use more action verbs: supervised, organized, learned, contributed, etc. The freshers in the industry can highlight their responsibilities at the college/school level.
Whatever you do, don't blend in to the rest of the resumes on the stack. Use powerful language, color, and stories to stand out. Trust me, the person reading it does not care too much about exact dates and section headings. Tell them a story and appeal to their senses, interests, or whatever you can. Strike a chord with them and they will strike a deal with you.
About the Author:
The author also maintains this site for resume services and another site for video production.
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