You have mingled at a function and asked someone, "So, what do you do?" Then that person drones on about the miniscule details of the job, and you're trying desperately to stay politely engaged. Don't be THAT person in resume form when seeking a new job or career.
Here are 10 tips for resumes that will get results:
Be brief--The rule of one-page resumes holds true. If a person cannot summarize their experiences in writing, he or she will probably have difficulty doing so verbally on the job.
State results--Don't elaborate on duties; highlight the RESULTS of those responsibilities you accomplished. Decision makers are charged with achieving results, so talk in terms of their business objectives.
Use numbers—Number your results. For example, “Currently handle a portfolio of 90 accounts, sales of which total $750,000.” According to Brian Scott, a contributing writer for Literacy News, it makes the document more inviting and interesting to read.
Stay consistent—Formats including fonts, underlining and bullets should be consistent from one job experience to the next. Take time to present a professional image of yourself.
Choose a clean font—Fonts that are sans-serif (without extra strokes on ends of letters) are easier to read. Sans options are already loaded on your computer.
Be “squint-less”—Not everyone needs reading glasses, but make your resume easy-to-read. Use at least 11-point font, as generally referenced in resume writing guides.
Watch gaps—. Be proactive between jobs. Take time to take a class or learn a new trade, and put that as a “line item” within your resume.
Limit personal information—You are a unique individual, but leave out the “I enjoy coaching soccer” unless the skill is relevant to job performance.
Be honest—Too many people fudge data on their resume in hopes that the jazzed-up story will impress the decision maker. It derails your credibility when you meet during the interview. It’s a lot like a glammed-up online dating site photo compared to the very-different image when meeting in person—a distortion of the truth throws everything out the window for the prospective pursuer.
Cover value—Cover letters should add value. For example, open with your knowledge about the organization, industry or business trends, and align this with how your expertise addresses that business initiative. This is a chance to stand out above your competition. |
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