15 Tips for Writing Winning Resumes
The thought of writing a resume intimidates almost anyone. It's difficult to know where to start or what to include. It can seem like an insurmountable task. Here are 15 tips to help you not only tackle the task, but also write a winning resume.
1. Determine your job search objective prior to writing the resume. Once you have determined your objective, you can structure the content of your resume around that objective. Think of your objective as the bull's-eye to focus your resume on hitting. If you write your resume without having a clear objective in mind, it will likely come across as unfocused to those that read it. Take the time before you start your resume to form a clear objective.
2. Think of your resume as a marketing tool. Think of yourself as a product, potential employers as your customers, and your resume as a brochure about you. Market yourself through your resume. What are your features and benefits? What makes you unique? Make sure to convey this information in your resume.
3. Use your resume to obtain an interview, not a job. You don't need to go into detail about every accomplishment. Strive to be clear and concise. The purpose of your resume is to generate enough interest in you to have an employer contact you for an interview. Use the interview to provide a more detailed explanation of your accomplishments and to land a job offer.
4. Use bulleted sentences. In the body of your resume, use bullets with short sentences rather than lengthy paragraphs. Resumes are read quickly. This bulleted sentence format makes it easier for someone to quickly scan your resume and still absorb it.
5. Use action words. Action words cause your resume to pop. To add life to your resume, use bulleted sentences that begin with action words like prepared, developed, monitored, and presented.
6. Use #'s, $'s and %'s. Numbers, dollars, and percentages stand out in the body of a resume. Use them. Here are two examples:
- Managed a department of 10 with a budget of $1,000,000.
- Increased sales by 25% in a 15-state territory.
7. Lead with your strengths. Since resumes are typically reviewed in 30 seconds, take the time to determine which bullets most strongly support your job search objective. Put those strong points first where they are more apt to be read.
8. Play Match Game. Review want ads for positions that interest you. Use the key words listed in these ads to match them to bullets in your resume. If you have missed any key words, add them to your resume.
9. Use buzzwords. If there are terms that show your competence in a particular field, use them in your resume. For marketing people, use "competitive analysis." For accounting types, use "reconciled accounts."
10. Accent the positive. Leave off negatives and irrelevant points. If you feel your date of graduation will subject you to age discrimination, leave the date off your resume. If you do some duties in your current job that don't support your job search objective, leave them off your resume. Focus on the duties that do support your objective. Leave off irrelevant personal information like your height and weight.
11. Show what you know. Rather than going into depth in one area, use your resume to highlight your breadth of knowledge. Use an interview to provide more detail.
12. Show who you know. If you have reported to someone important such as a vice president or department manager, say so in your resume. Having reported to someone important causes the reader to infer that you are important.
13. Construct your resume to read easily. Leave white space. Use a font size no smaller than 10 point. Limit the length of your resume to 1-2 pages. Remember, resumes are reviewed quickly. Help the reader to scan your resume efficiently and effectively.
14. Have someone else review your resume. Since you are so close to your situation, it can be difficult for you to hit all your high points and clearly convey all your accomplishments. Have someone review your job search objective, your resume, and listings of positions that interest you. Encourage them to ask questions. Their questions can help you to discover items you inadvertently left off your resume. Revise your resume to include these items. Their questions can also point to items on your resume that are confusing to the reader. Clarify your resume based on this input.
15. Submit your resume to potential employers. Have the courage to submit your resume. Think of it as a game where your odds of winning increase with every resume you submit. You really do increase your odds with every resume you submit. Use a three-tiered approach. Apply for some jobs that appear to be beneath you. Perhaps they will turn out to be more than they appeared to be once you interview for them. Or perhaps once you have your foot in the door you can learn of other opportunities. Apply for jobs that seem to be just at your level. You will get interviews for some of those jobs. See how each job stacks up. Try for some jobs that seem like a stretch. That's how you grow -- by taking risks. Don't rule yourself out. Trust the process. Good luck in your job search!
Copyright 1999 - 2004 Quest Career Services, LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Ann Hackett is the President and founder of Quest Career Services, LLC (http://www.QuestCareer.com), an online resume writing and outplacement services company. Ann can be reached at ahackett@QuestCareer.com or 952-929-4197.
 Google News Updated : Thu, 16 Oct 2008 02:44:32 GMT McCain, Obama get personal in final debate - The Associated Press
The Associated Press - HEMPSTEAD, NY (AP) - John McCain told Barack Obama to his face Thursday night, "You didn't tell the American people the truth" about a key campaign pledge as the two presidential rivals slung accusations at close quarters in the final debate of their ... McCain, Obama tussle over backing Bush’s policies Obama Widens Lead as Americans See `Serious' Crisis (Update2) Publ.Date : Thu, 16 Oct 2008 02:02:37 GMT Maddon Sticks to ‘Plan,’ Giving Ball to Kazmir - New York Times
New York Times - By JOSHUA ROBINSON BOSTON - Tampa Bay Rays Manager Joe Maddon has always disliked last-minute adjustments. So when he threw the Boston Red Sox a curveball on Wednesday by announcing that he was changing his Game 5 starter, Maddon said it was always ... Rays will go with Scott Kazmir in Game 5 Rays continue Cinderella story Publ.Date : Thu, 16 Oct 2008 02:11:08 GMT As Rays Come of Age, Torre Likes Their Look - New York Times
New York Times - By TYLER KEPNER LOS ANGELES - For the first 10 years of their existence, when they never won more than 70 games in a season, the Tampa Bay Rays faced Joe Torre more than any other manager. Rollins leads off Game 5 with homer Rollins, Phillies lead Dodgers in Game 5 of NLCS Publ.Date : Thu, 16 Oct 2008 02:11:08 GMT Feds investigate failure of Washington Mutual - International Herald Tribune
International Herald Tribune - AP SEATTLE: Federal authorities said Wednesday they have opened an investigation into the failure of Washington Mutual Inc., the largest bank failure in US history. Federal Investigators to Examine Washington Mutual Washington Mutual's Failure Under US Investigation (Update2) Publ.Date : Thu, 16 Oct 2008 02:10:47 GMT FCC report: White space devices work as "proof of concept" - Ars Technica
Ars Technica - By Nate Anderson | Published: October 15, 2008 - 06:08PM CT The FCC's Office of Engineering Technology has released its long-awaited technical report (PDF) on "white space" prototype devices, and the conclusion comes right up front: "At this juncture, ... FCC Chairman backs use of "white space" spectrum FCC Gives Whites Spaces a Boost Publ.Date : Wed, 15 Oct 2008 23:12:55 GMT Paramount to release fewer films, cut 25 DreamWorks employees - Los Angeles Times
Los Angeles Times - By Claudia Eller, Los Angeles Times Staff Writer Looking to cut overhead and operating expenses after the recent departure of DreamWorks co-founder Steven Spielberg, Paramount Pictures plans to release fewer films, consolidate operations and slash 25 ... Spielberg back in fold Paramount cuts films, jobs Publ.Date : Thu, 16 Oct 2008 01:58:16 GMT Omar grows into Category 2 hurricane in Caribbean - The Associated Press
The Associated Press - CHRISTIANSTED, US Virgin Islands (AP) - Heavy rains and winds pummeled St. Croix on Wednesday as the outer edge of powerful Hurricane Omar drenched the island, stranding motorists on flooded roads and forcing workers to shut down a giant oil refinery. Video: Hurricane Omar Nears Caribbean Islands Omar Strengthens in Caribbean, Aims at Virgin Islands (Update4) Publ.Date : Thu, 16 Oct 2008 01:42:51 GMT Easy Work At Home Opportunity |
PARLOT::Ebooks, Scripts,
Websites, and more... A week out of work is a vacation. You can... Read More If you've been in a job search for more than... Read More Ever wonder if you are in the right career? If... Read More As a former human resources professional it has always intrigued... Read More When we lose our jobs, no matter the reason, we... Read More by Lesli Peterson, Business Analyst, VCGwith Phil McCutchen,... Read More Yes, it's still possible to be upwardly mobile in America:... Read More When an employer decides to conduct an interview with you,... Read More I was rushing through the white-tented terminal building at Denver... Read More Are you a new graduate with little or no work... Read More Despite constant calls by politicians and policy makers to reign... Read More Unemployment is depressing: financial pressures stress you out, looking for... Read More While more people are finding employment, more employed workers are... Read More Obviously, there are RIGHT ways to move UP the ladder.... Read More I coined this word to draw attention to the nervous... Read More As the old saying goes, "you never get a second... Read More Seminars dealing with "special topics" have actually been around for... Read More Going for a job interview can be a harrowing experience.... Read More Closing the InterviewKnowing how to successfully close an interview can... Read More Many people are working at jobs they don't want and... Read More A new resume can jump-start your career. Your network contacts... Read More Writing performance reviews can be an excellent way to earn... Read More Employers and recruiters receive hundreds of resumes for every position... Read More May I explain what about what a red ball means... Read More Q. Right after I accepted my new position, the manager... Read More
Adsense
websites
Job Hunting Tips: Assessing Personal Value
When The Going Gets Tough -- The Tough Keep Going
How to Know if You Are in the Right Career
How to Survive in Business Long Enough to Win
Losing Your Job Without Losing Yourself
Recruiting on the Web Requires Special Record Keeping for Legal Purposes
It is Still Possible to be Upwardly Mobile in America!
Job Interview Preparation - What Employers Are Looking For
Sawbones
No Experience? No Problem!
Federal Job Search Strategies: 7 Tips to Help You Succeed
Job Hunting Tips: Staying Active
Discontentment in the Workplace
Youre Bright And Talented -- TooT Your Own Horn --
Job Search Blurts
Writing A Resume That Gets You Noticed
Seminars: Why Are They Popular, and What Advantages/Disadvantages Are There to Attending One?
Great Interview Skills
How to Close Your Interview and Leave a Lasting Positive Impression
Are You Eking Out a Living, and Cant Get What You Want from a Job?
7 Steps To A Job-Winning Resume
Could You Write Performance Reviews For Money?
Resumes Arent Important - They are Everything When it Comes to Getting an Interview
Everyone Should Have a RED BALL in the Job Search
Career Strategy When Your Boss is a Bully
Affordable and Reliable Web Hosting Starting at $4.49/Month
Five Facts You Must Know When Changing Careers
Too often in life, we fail. We fail not because... Read More
A Cover Letter Tip Guaranteed To Land You More Job Interviews!
Looking for a new job?I'm about to reveal one of... Read More
Alert! An Over-50 Jobseeker Has Just Entered the Building
Interviewing Tips for the Older Job-seeking PopulationA red alert is... Read More
Youre Fired!
One-day you're minding your own business and your boss comes... Read More
Dissatisfied With Your Job? Stop Believing The Myths!
If you are dissatisfied with your job, you are in... Read More
Make Your Career Offshore Proof
There has been a lot of talk recently about American... Read More
9 Secrets to Career Success
Are you miserable at your job (or what you are... Read More
Why Should We Hire You?
This is one of those broad questions that can take... Read More
Dissatisfied With Work? Perhaps Its You
Just about every month, there's a new research report detailing... Read More
From The WorkWise Collection: Job Hunting in the New Economy
To succeed in today's global marketplace, companies must hire the... Read More
Do You Have What it Takes to be a Successful Petite Model?
Want to break into the petite modeling industry but wondering... Read More
Four Simple Steps To Better Results With Your Resume
Is every job description you read the same? No.Is every... Read More
Moving From A Weekend Hobby To Career In The Arts
Building a career as an artist takes hard work. Because... Read More
You?re Ready for a Career Change - Is Your Resume?
You finally did it. You made the decision to leave... Read More
The Changing Values Landscape of the U.S. and How It Impacts Midlife Job Searchers
Imagine a huge river that has been flowing for centuries:... Read More
De-Bunking The ?Follow Your Bliss? Myth
Hello Fellow Seekers!I don't know about you? but I'm pretty... Read More
The Night Worker
In the process of musing about our perennially awake world... Read More
Become A Personal Trainer
Every human body is different and a personal trainer will... Read More
Offer Letter Limbo
Recently we concluded the placement of a Senior Sales Representative... Read More
Why One Word Answers are Bad News at Job Interviews
It takes a lot of time and effort to get... Read More
When the Teacher Becomes the Student
A relationship expert once said that during an argument, there's... Read More
15 Tips for Writing Winning Resumes
The thought of writing a resume intimidates... Read More
Women Who Quit Work Abrubtly After Childbirth - Are You the Type?
According to statistics one out of every five pregnant women... Read More
10 Steps to Escape the Job World and Create the Life You Really Want
1. GET THE POINT ? OF LIFE, THAT IS.... Read More
Writing A Resume That Gets You Noticed
As the old saying goes, "you never get a second... Read More
Careers, Jobs & Employment |