How to Write the Perfect Resume
It’s no secret that in today’s competitive job market a go-getter’s qualifications have one assignment. They need to jump off the page of a resume and grab some attention. Gone are the days where a job seeker could just list where they’ve worked and for how long. Now a resume should characterize a person’s achievements and goals as well as their personality, objective, and stellar ability to get a job. Sounds like a mighty feat. But when you break it down, it’s doable. Just keep a few things in mind.
You may not have heard this before but a resume is to get an interview, not the job. So do your research like you’re going to win that interview.
Carefully read the job description of the position you want. Make notes on the skills and assets the employer wants you to have. Then define a clear and concise goal for your resume that suits those particulars to a tee. This is your chance to build excitement in your prospective employer. Your resume should convey this one powerful message – You’re an asset to their team and if they overlook you they’re going to miss the boat, period.
So how do you get a leg up on having a resume writing super power? Start with your career objective. Too many times resumes are cookie cutter attempts at stating just the facts. By stating an objective, you tell your potential employer exactly what you want in a career. This is especially handy if your career history doesn’t have a definitive focus. And if you’re changing career paths then your work history will reflect where you’ve been and not where you’re going. With a clearly stated objective, you can share where you’re headed as well as indicate the level of responsibility you’re willing to take. This little power-packed line should be an ideal ten words or less. Keep it simple.
Career objectives need to include three things.
- Area of work.
- Title of position.
- Areas of specialization.
Here’s an example:
Seeking an Administrative position with a focus on finance.
So why else is this point is so important? Well, to an employer, it conveys a greater command of authority which will likely translate into negotiations for a higher pay grade. Reason enough to include it, right?
Now’s the time to get to the meat of the resume. State your work experience in reverse chronology with the most recent position first. Now here’s an important point. If you’ve been away from work for a while don’t leave the years you’ve been away from the workforce blank. Fill the gap with a relevant job title for an activity you were doing during that time, either paid or unpaid. Even an activity for a character-building experience like parenting or being a student applies here. Additionally, it’s not to your advantage to go back several years to your first job. To put it bluntly, that tact shows your age. There’s no need to go there.
Now it’s time to venture into your job description at each one of these great jobs you’ve had. It’s a good idea to put these in bullet form so you can include your responsibilities and successes. It’s not just about job duties, keep it exciting. This will show your enthusiasm for your work as well as your skill sets.
Ask yourself these questions:
- Which projects are you proud of that support your job objective?
- What are some quantifiable results that showcase your ability?
- What awards, commendations, publications, etc. have you achieved that relate to your job objective?
- When have you demonstrated the ability to implement PAR in your work performance? PAR stands for Problem Identification, Action, and Results. It is a commonly used standard to measure problem solving effectiveness.
Here’s some examples of answers to those questions:
- Increased productivity by 30% as lead sales rep on Googles Advertising Division.
- Increased profits from $20 million to $34 million through online marketing initiatives.
- Reduced employee turnover by 25% by implementing Flex Work program.
- Awarded Top 1% of all company-wide, localized sales.
And for the final step in the resume writing part of your job search, highlight your education history. List any school that has granted you a degree or certification and spell it out with its full title. If you didn’t get a degree from a school you attended just list one or two of those places of education. And if you’re attending school now, list the expected completion date.
Finally we’ve come to the end of our resume writing tips with, keep it professional. There could be hundreds of people applying for the position so make your resume look the part. Small mistakes can be costly so proofread like there’s no tomorrow. Finding a job is a competitive game.
We at YouAccel.com say, Happy job hunting!
For more information:
YouAccel Public Relations
media@youaccel.com
