Quick Job Search

The purpose of a Resume

The resume is a tool with one specific purpose: to win an interview. If it does what the fantasy resume did, it works. If it doesn't, it isn't an effective resume. A resume is an advertisement, nothing more, nothing less.

A great resume doesn't just tell them what you have done but makes the same assertion that all good ads do: If you buy this product, you will get these specific, direct benefits. It presents you in the best light. It convinces the employer that you have what it takes to be successful in this new position or career.

It is so pleasing to the eye that the reader is enticed to pick it up and read it. It "whets the appetite," stimulates interest in meeting you and learning more about you. It inspires the prospective employer to pick up the phone and ask you to come in for an interview.

What it isn't

It is a mistake to think of your resume as a history of your past, as a personal statement or as some sort of self expression. Sure, most of the content of any resume is focused on your job history. But write from the intention to create interest, to persuade the employer to call you. If you write with that goal, your final product will be very different than if you write to inform or catalog your job history.

Most people write a resume because everyone knows that you have to have one to get a job. They write their resume grudgingly, to fulfill this obligation. Writing the resume is only slightly above filling out income tax forms in the hierarchy of worldly delights. If you realize that a great resume can be your ticket to getting exactly the job you want, you may be able to muster some genuine enthusiasm for creating a real masterpiece, rather than the feeble products most people turn out.

Tips for creating a Strong Resume

The path to a finished resume is often strewn with many versions (usually crumpled) of the work in progress. You can get it right the first time with these tips.

1. Review the job description.
   • Many job seekers write their resumes without first reading the job description. The result is a resume that doesn't strongly highlight applicable skills and experiences. Most recruiters don't have the time or patience to search your resume for the required qualifications. If you don't make them obvious, you may not get an interview.
   • If the company doesn't provide a formal job description, contact the hiring manager to obtain a list of the required qualifications. If you can't reach anyone, review job listings with similar titles for a group of core competencies.
2. Choose the best resume format.
   • There are two basic resume styles: chronological and functional. A chronological resume organizes your work history by date and is best for emphasizing experiences that directly apply to a particular position.
   • A functional resume works best if you have little or no past experience in an industry. It presents your abilities in categories that showcase the particular skills the job requires. For example, if the job description emphasizes strong sales experience, consider dividing your resume into such categories as "communication skills," "negotiation skills," and "persuasion skills."
3. Present the tangible results of your accomplishments.
   • Many people forget to explain how their past employment contributed to their companies' bottom lines.
   • "It's important not only to just express what you've done, but also describe the results of your actions. The best resumes I see do this," says Amy Driscoll, the director of human resources at NextDoor Networks. "Creating a context will make your efforts more powerful to the person reading your resume."
   • Answering the questions "How much?" and "How many?" will also distinguish you from the pack. For example, if you implemented a new accounting system at a previous job, instead of merely referencing the accomplishment, explain the amount of time and money your actions saved the company.
4. Consider a highlight section.
   • Recruiters and hiring managers often take less than a minute to read a resume. To make your minute count, consider including a highlight section at the top of your resume, directly below your name, and, if you use one, your objective. Highlight sections most benefit job seekers whose qualifications don't exactly match the job description. You're more likely to get the recruiter's attention by emphasizing your transferable skills and exceptional accomplishments at the top of your resume instead of scattering them throughout.
   • Your highlight section should be formatted in a bulleted list. In her book, Ready-to-Go-Resumes, resume expert Yana Parker recommends that a highlight section cover these bases:
   • Number of years' experience in the field or line of work
   • Relevant credentials or training
   • An accomplishment that directly relates to the job
   • A personal "quality" or "characteristic" that relates to the job
   • Another accomplishment or characteristic that relates to the job
   • Don't worry if your cover letter reiterates some of the information in your highlight section. In fact, consider using the cover letter to expand upon one or two points from your highlight section.
5. Proofread.
6. Typos, misprints, and grammatical errors will likely land your resume in the trash before the recruiter even sees your qualifications. A polished, error-free resume is key to a successful job search.

Avoid These 10 Resume Mistakes

1. Resume lacks focus.
2. Resume is duties-driven instead of accomplishments-driven.
3. Resume items are listed in an order that doesn't consider the reader's interest.
4. Resume exposes the job-seeker to age discrimination by going too far back into the job-seeker's job history.
5. Resume buries important skills, especially computer skills, at the bottom.
6. Resume is not bulleted.
7. Resume uses a cookie-cutter design based on an overused resume template.
8. Resume lacks keywords.
9. References are listed directly on your resume.
10. Resume's appearance becomes skewed when sent as an e-mail attachment and/or resume is not available in other electronic formats.