Many people think they know how to write resume and that is just a matter of filling in the blanks. However, what they don’t fully appreciate is the dual role of a how to write resumes. A how to write resumes is not only a statement of what you’ve done and when, it is also your primary marketing tool for getting that new job you want. Your how to write resumes needs to be professional and engaging for it to work properly for you.
What makes one resume better than another? There are a number of “success factors” that have an impact. These factors are key in making your resume ideal for your job hunt, and any one of them could be the deciding factor in your candidacy.
The appearance of your resume is the first thing that a hiring agent will notice after picking up your resume from the top of their pile. Is it many pages long? Is it easy to read? If it is over one page, uses a font that is difficult to read and has highlighting all over it then regardless of how compelling the content is, this resume is unlikely to get put into the ‘must interview’ pile. While this may seem unfair, try to put yourself in a hiring agent’s position. You are busy, you have other tasks to do and here is a pile of resumes that you need to sort through. Why would you waste time on a how to write resumes that doesn’t look professional? Isn’t that as much a reflection of a candidate as what they say?
So what should you do? Your how to write resumes should be 1 page and typed in black using Times New Roman font, size 11 or 12 pitch. Only the previous 10 years of work history is necessary. Other things to avoid include colored paper, personal information like your birthday, and bolding or using italics, unless it is in a header.
Being clear and specific in the objective you position at the top of your resume is way to indicate to a potential employer not only what you want but that you are focused on getting it. Your objective should be inline with the abilities you have illustrated in your work history and tailored to an extent to the job you are applying for. You don’t need to use the exact same objective for every position you apply for. Employers appreciate and value a well thought out objective because it helps them qualify one candidate against another.
The third most important factor has to do with the posturing of your work history. If you already have a resume, pull it out and look at the duties that you list under your last job. Does it read more like a job description or does it reflect your abilities over and above what you were hired to do? The duties you list should be brief phrases that show how you added value to that particular company. You need to choose powerful words to describe your contributions, like “provided leadership,” “organized,” “created,” “facilitated,” “solved” and “entire.” Do you see how these words can elevate the typical “filing,” or “customer relations” language? Check everything that you list against your objective to ensure that there is a direct correlation between the two. You are giving evidence to support your objective, so do a good job in selecting your words, and let those words do a good job for you.
Learning how to write a resume cover letter that presents your skills and experience in the best possible way is crucial to your success with your job hunt. Resume writing isn’t easy but if you follow the tips outlined above then you will be well on the way to producing an excellent, readable how to write resumes. If you get stuck then get help from a professional so that you don’t lose your momentum.