SolveYourProblem
eLearning Series:
How To Write Killer Resumes
& Get The Job You Want!
(
25 pages )
YOUR
RESUME IS A WORK OF ART
Now that we have
covered the most basic elements of an impressive resume,
let’s take a look at some finer points.
Your resume will
be written to look appealing to the eye. This is best accomplished
by keeping in mind:
- Structure looks
clean and flows well.
- Very easy to
read/not at all complicated.
- Easily understood
with simple wording and phrases.
- Contains good
overall balance.
- Not crowded/contains
plenty of white space.
- Sections are
concise and shorter when possible.
All formatting
should be offered consistently. Not too heavy on the bolding,
italics and underlining. This should only be used for best
effect and not in uniformity.
Your resume will
be your front line in communication. Before you meet your
prospective employer, your employer will meet you via your
resume.
Your resume will
be error free. This means free or typo’s, improper spelling,
poor grammar, lack of punctuation and no errors in facts.
Key Information Included in your Resume:
- Name
- Address
- Phone
- Email
- Positions held
list
- Reverse chronological
order
- Education credentials
- Degrees attained
- Targeted information
as necessary
Positions
Held List will Include:
- Position title
- Name of company
- City and state
of company
- Years there
- Earlier held
positions can be summarized
- Part time work
can be excluded
Your resume will
be targeted to show your suitability for the desired position.
This position will be a goal you wish to achieve. You will
be able to show how and why you are the best candidate for
this position. Your resume will show you are uniquely qualified
and should be chosen.
Your resume will
contain no filler. You will only highlight your best and
this will be expertly brought across by the use of strong,
clear wording and phrases that are descriptive and colorful.
Your resume writing will persuade and cause your employer
to want to know more. You will hint at attributes, not giving
out too much information. You want your employer to feel
compelled to bring you in for the interview. Your resume
will grab the eye through the use of design, formatting and
proper balance.
Your resume will
impact. The prospective employer will immediately grasp your
meaning and will not feel the need to read through entirely.
Your resume will
contain powerful words and statements that will convey a
message of impressive credentials and experience. Show you
will get the job done better than anyone else.
Write about your
qualifications through clear statements about what you have
accomplished. Don’t bore them with long-running lists of
your potential, talents, or previous job responsibilities.
Show the exact
results of your targeted accomplishments. Make good use of
adjectives to show the extent of your skills and experiences.
This will show you are results-oriented.
Write to be concise
and keep to the point. Write sentences as short and direct
as you can. Eliminate all repetitions. Don't use several
examples when one example has the same impact. Avoid trying
to impress by using larger words. Be as direct as possible
and avoid complex sentences.
Use good variety
by offering short and punchy sentences along with sentences
that are longer. Don’t repeat a power verb within the same
paragraph. Punctuate throughout for easy reading.
Create a work
of art! Use the best supplies for your resume. Use a laser
printer or an ink jet printer to produce the best results.
Use a good-sized typeface (font) in 11 or 12 point. Use off-white,
ivory or bright white 8 1/2 x 11-inch paper, in high quality.
Submit a resume without smudges, staples and leave a generous
border.
A shorter resume
is often best, however, if what you need to write takes up
3 pages, then offer 3 pages. There is no hard and fast rule
for resume length.
Just make certain
you don't bore them with the details. Always leave them wanting
to know more. Remember, you are marketing yourself and not
your entire life history.
Add good variety.
Break it down into sections. Your resume will contain no
more than six lines of writing in any one writing section
or paragraph (summary, skill section, accomplishment statement,
job description, etc.) If you require more, start a new section
or a new paragraph.
Submit an accurate
telephone number with area code. Be sure the phone number
on the resume will be answered in-person or by an answering
machine, Monday through Friday, from 8-5pm. You want to be
available when invited in for that important interview.
If you don't have
an answering machine, buy one. Include your e-mail and fax
numbers as an alternate means of reaching you.
Omit any kind
of information that can be seen as being controversial, such
as political affiliations.
Start each section
with your most important information on the first line. This
will be read the most.
Use bold caps
to highlight. Your name, section headings, skill headings,
titles or companies, degrees, and school name can all be
written in boldface. Your name should be on top of each page
of your resume.
DO NOT PUT IN YOUR RESUME
- RESUME at the
top of the your resume
- Flowery "objective" statements
- Salary information
- Addresses of
former employers
- Why you left
your previous jobs
- The names of
supervisors
- Detailed references
ONLY THE
FACTS
While you definitely
want to sell yourself, you want to do this honestly. Do not
inflate the truth to put yourself in a better light. You
will need to be able to back up all claims about yourself.
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