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How to
Create a Winning Resume
Preparing your resume can often seem like a daunting task.
You’ve done your research, but there is so much information,
and how do you pick from the countless formats?!
Writing your resume doesn’t have to be so scary, in fact, if
you keep a few simple tips in mind, you’ll keep yourself
ahead of the competition.
1. The
Objective
If the objective statement doesn’t match the job
you’re applying for, your resume is likely to end up in the
circular file. It is important to customize the objective so it
expresses your goals and keeps the HR manager interested in learning
more about you. Don’t be vague! Remember, your resume is a
marketing tool—and that begins with a clear, concise
objective.
2.
Appearance
Your resume should have a professional, contemporary appearance that is
both visually appealing and easy on the eyes. This includes using an
easy to read font, such as Times New Roman, in a font no smaller than
10 pt., and printing your resume on high-quality bond paper in a
conservative color. White, light grey and cream are acceptable.
Remember not to clutter your resume. It should include all of your
relevant accomplishments, but you don’t want it to look
daunting to prospective employers. If it looks overwhelming, it may not
get a second glance. An ideal resume uses white space efficiently and
stills gets the point across—that you are the perfect
candidate for the position. If your work history is extensive, consider
cutting back. It is acceptable to go back 15 years on a resume unless a
job held prior was of particular significance.
If you are sending your resume electronically, plain is the way to go.
Eliminate all embellishments, such as italics, bold and centering. Text
should be plain and aligned on the left side of the page. Remember, the
more embellishments, the harder it may be on the reader. If you need
emphasis, use ALL CAPS.
3.
Format
The format you use should be determined based on your unique
credentials and background. The key is to present the information so it
highlights your most important accomplishments immediately. For
example, a recent college graduate would present his education before
his work history because it is his biggest selling point....
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I’ll say it again…your resume is a marketing tool
which should be designed to sell, sell, sell! List your most important
achievements first, and be specific! Don’t say that you were
responsible for increasing profitability, say that you spearheaded a
national marketing campaign that increased profits by 35%.
Don’t be afraid to include numbers and percentages. What if
you don’t have the exact numbers? Estimates are fine, as long
as they’re reasonable.
Lastly, remember to keep it clean and organized.
Utilize white space by keeping sentences short and informative. Use
bullets to highlight information and avoid long paragraphs which appear
overwhelming. You don’t want your most important
accomplishments lost in the middle of a paragraph.
4. Too
Much Information!
Yes, there is such a thing as including too much information. If you
want to include a website where potential employers can view work
samples, fine. Just make sure that there are no photos of your latest
vacation to Mexico or your newborn baby. As proud as you may be to show
off your new bundle of joy, it may make an employer uncomfortable.
Also, no silly email addresses and no list of irrelevant hobbies. The
employer won’t care if you’re NASCAR fan, and if
they associate a negative connotation with your hobby, then
you’re out of luck.
Keep these tips in mind before you send your resume off to prospective
employers to help ensure that your resume gets a fair read. Oftentimes
there will be anywhere from 40 to 100 other applicants interested in
the same position. By presenting your information in a professional,
easy to read format that clearly highlights your strengths and
achievements, you’ll keep an edge on the competition.
About
The Author...
Lindsey
Hadwin is a professional resume writer and president of Pro Resume, a
resume writing and career consulting business based in Springfield, MA.
http://www.proresumegroup.com/
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