 |
 |
|
|
Resume Writing - 3 Tips for Success
By: Amber Lowery
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.
About the author:
For more information on Resume Writing and how to
write a winning resume,
visit: http://www.CareerVolt.com and http://www.ResumeTip.info
| | | | |