Resume Writing 101

Preparing an effective resume is the first step in the job search process.  It is usually the first contact between you and potential employers.  The trick is to avoid having it become the last!  Below are a few important “NEVER...” tips to help you produce a professional looking resume.

NEVER list hobbies, sports or favorite social activities!

NEVER include any information about your height, weight, appearance, or health!

NEVER include your Social Security number, information about your marital status or spouse’s employment or your personal philosophies about life, work, or anything else!

NEVER use exact dates.  Listing months and years is sufficient!

NEVER include your phone number at work unless you are prepared to have a potential employer contact you at your current position!

NEVER list your high school or grammar school.

NEVER state your objectives on your resume UNLESS the resume is specifically targeted to a particular position or occupation.

NEVER use professional jargon unless you are sure someone who understands the buzzwords will read the resume.

NEVER provide salary information on the resume.  Save it for the interview.  If you are required to provide that information, reveal it in the cover letter.  

And, the most important rule of all:

NEVER LIE ABOUT ANYTHING!!!

MAKE YOUR RESUME STAND OUT IN A CROWD!

In today’s competitive business world, most resumes receive only a short initial glance.  That first look usually determines who will get a chance to interview for a position and who won’t.  That’s how important your resume is!  So, how do you make yours stand out from the rest?  Get to the point!  Cut to the chase!  Reveal the “bottom line”!  Get the picture?  Your resume should precisely bullet point your skills and accomplishments.  Potential employers want to see identifiable and measurable results in a quick and easy to read format.  Below are some basic tips to help you create an effective resume.

Sell Yourself

A prospective employer wants to see results.  Use percentages and numbers to show any measurable increases in productivity or cost savings and waste reductions for which you are responsible.  Outline specific actions and emphasize the result.

Target Your Resume

Don’t use vague or general language or list unrelated multiple career objectives on your resume.  One size does not fit all!  In fact, it is becoming a widely accepted practice to eliminate the formal “Objective Statement” completely.  This makes it even more important to tailor your resume to specifically highlight skills or past work experience that directly relate to the position for which you are applying.  A focused, to the point resume suggests that you are a competent professional.

Use Action Words

Add power to your sentences by beginning each one with a descriptive “action” word.  Words like implemented, organized, prepared, developed and established, help promote an impression of high energy and urgency.  Actions words produce positive images of you as an experienced and productive employee.

Make It Inviting and Easy to Read

Capture the attention of the person reading your resume by telling them what they want to hear!  Summarize skills and work experience that you consider to be the most relevant to the position you are applying for.  Emphasize important points by using italics, underlines, and boldface type.  Do not use more than two different fonts when creating your resume.  Also, check you spacing and margins.  The document you produce should be an informative yet easy to read product.

Don’t Include Personal Statistics or Hobbies

It is considered unprofessional to include information about your age, marital status, number of children, height, weight, or health status on a resume.  It is unlawful for an employer to request this information from a candidate; therefore, most employers prefer not to have this information at all.  As for hobbies, keep in mind that no one cares what you do away from the workplace.  If the information isn’t directly related to the job you are applying for, it has no business being on your resume.

Proofread and Edit

You should always use spell check and, if available, a grammar checker.  However, you should never rely totally on these tools.  Get an outside opinion.  Give your resume to as many friends as are willing and let them proofread it for both errors and ways to improve it.  Suggestions from outside or a fresh perspective can really boost your resumes’ attention getting power.  One helpful reminder is to what your verb tenses!  This is a common problem.  If you are describing a position or a task you previously complete, you should end all verbs with a past tense suffix.  If you are describing a current position or ongoing project, use verbs only in the present tense.  A resume must be error free to accurately reflect both your professionalism and competence.

Now that you have learned about resumes, lets learn about some interviewing tips.