Posts Tagged ‘resume writing tips’

Write a Resume Now

Thursday, October 27th, 2011

For most jobseekers, it is usually necessary to write a resume. This is a personal marketing tool and shows a prospective employer why you are the best person for a job. So let’s discuss some tips and suggestions to help you to write a resume.

One of the first things you should do is to decide what your objective is. You should list this on your resume. So if you want to find a job as a sales manager, then this should be listed on your resume. Keep in mind that depending on your career objective(s), you may end up having more than one resume which supports that objective.

The next thing to do would be to list some key skills and accomplishments. This helps to show an employer what you have done and what you can do for them.

Following this you would probably list the different jobs you’ve had up this point and what some of the key roles and responsibilities were. This will help to show a prospective employer what you have done before and how it has helped to make you very qualified for the current position you seek.

It is also a good idea to include a section which contains your educational background. For some positions this is critical.

You may also wish to include sections which list any special training, certifications, interests, hobbies, etc. It should include anything which helps to support your ability to do the job effectively.

This information should be organized and formatted in an easy to read manner. There are many tools available to assist you in this activity if desired. In any case this should help you to create an effective resume which will hopefully land you that new job you seek.

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When to Use a Resume Writing Service

Thursday, June 3rd, 2010

When looking for a new job or a new career, your resume will present you to potential employers. It is essentially a means of advertising your unique skills and qualifications, but if you do not present yourself effectively, then you run the risk of being passed over for a job you may be exceptionally qualified for.

So, how do you know if you really need a resume writing service or if your resume is good enough just the way it is? Well, first of all let’s just face the fact that not everyone is a writer. Some people have a way with words and others don’t. However, even if you are a very good writer, not everyone knows what to write in a resume. There are certain things employers will be looking for, and that’s where a professional resume writer can help. If you have absolutely no idea where to begin, a resume writing service can walk you through the process from start to finish, helping create a strong resume that will get your foot in the door for an interview.

Individuals looking for a career change, those who are just graduating from college or anyone who may have recently had an employment change like being laid off or moving to a new place should also consider hiring a professional resume writing service. A professional resume writer can help you determine which of your skills are most relevant to the position you’re now seeking, and how to best present your qualifications so that employers can easily identify any transferable skills you may have.

Others may have large gaps between jobs – stay-at-home parents are an excellent example of this – or have had several jobs in a short period of time. Resume writers are well-versed in dealing with a number of employment situations that may look less than desirable to potential employers if not handled appropriately.

Alternatively, you may have already been sending out your current resume and noticed you aren’t receiving a lot of responses. This is a fairly good sign that your resume could use some work and you may want to look into hiring a resume writing service. Even if you feel you have a pretty good handle on how to write a resume, many resume writing services offer free or low-cost detailed critiques telling you which areas of your resume may need to be revamped or how your skills could be presented in a better way.

In short, your resume is your best means of displaying all that you have to offer a potential employer. When an employer looks at your resume, you want it to shine, and a professional resume writing service can help you achieve just that.

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Tips to Presenting Your Resume

Friday, May 14th, 2010

There are many factors involved in designing and presenting your resume, and it is easy to get caught up in the various styles and customizations when you decide to give it a facelift. Should I use a high quality paper? Should I mail a hard copy though I have already emailed it? Should I email it as inline text or as an attachment? Below are tips and answers for some of these common resume styling quandaries.

Font: The font you select can be a telltale sign of keeping up with the times. Times New Roman is the default for many word processors and will prove that your job-searching days and abilities are somewhat dated. It was once believed that this font was the easiest on the eyes, but there are many similar options that are much better. The spacing of Times New Roman styled words and letters can be quite awkward, and when copying into an email or PDF can prove catastrophic. Try using Georgia. It should be free on your computer, and is a little more rounded than Times New Roman, for easier reading and more compatible spacing. If you have the cash to spare, consider browsing online professional fonts for one that might be more suited to you and your potential position.

Paper: Many people want to showcase their uniqueness by purchasing fancy stationary paper. This is a waste of time and money, and generally has the opposite effect. Fancy stationary is a thing of the past; you know it, I know it, and your potential employer knows it. In order to keep up with the times, you should use a good quality, smooth, plain style of paper. It should be heavier than standard copy paper, but not a lightweight cardboard. Printing shops and office supply stores generally have paper labeled as “resume paper.” There are many different weights out there, so try to avoid things too heavy such as cardstock, but the lightest copy paper options are not a good idea either.

Colors: Do not use colors. Do not use colored paper, fonts, stickers, or stamps on your resume. It is not cute and clever, it is not unique and memorable; it is somewhat childish and unprofessional. Stick with black. If you have a website, or a logo with colors that you plan to include, that is acceptable, but do not add any more colors of your own. If you absolutely must make something stand out, use varying shades of gray or navy.

Emailing: Many people are making the switch over to Mac computers, but others are still using and buying PC’s. This makes it even more difficult to email a properly formatted copy of your resume to an employer. If you do not know what kind of technology they are running with, there are still a few ways to ensure that they are able to see your resume in a format that makes sense. If you are able to save your resume in different formats, do so, and send them all. PDF’s are the most desirable, but some people are still functioning without Adobe or other readers. You should be able to save your copy as a .doc file, which is compatible with both Macs and PC’s (except for extremely old ones). However, the default for a Mac file is .docx, which is not always compatible with PC’s. Try downloading and using Open Office. Their files are compatible with both types of computers, and the programs are currently free. The third step is to include a simply-formatted version of your resume in the body of the email. Be sure to include a byline about the different versions of your resume.

Hard Copy: Many people prefer to know that their resume has made it into the safe hands of a potential hirer. For this reason, they will snail mail hard copies, or drop them off at the office even though they have already sent them in email form. The protocol for this is a bit tricky. Depending on the organization, sending or bringing a hard copy of your resume before being offered an interview can just add complications to the hiring process, and the last thing you want to do is become a nuisance before even landing an interview. Gauge your employer before doing anything over the top. If they seem to be slow on the Internet front, or a little more traditional than most, feel free to send or drop off a hard copy of your resume. If they are completely online and organized, the paper copy of your resume will probably end up in the trash. Always bring a hard copy of your resume to an interview.

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The Do’s and Don’ts of Resume Writing

Tuesday, March 30th, 2010

Developing your resume is a tedious part of the job search and is also one of the most important steps of the process.  Below is a list of do’s and don’ts to help you along the way.  Stick close to these guidelines and you can start searching for the job of your dreams.

  • DO use bullets to establish your points and organize your experiences. This makes it a thousand times easier for employers to glance over your skills, experiences, and qualifications.
  • DON’T list everything with bullet points. You want the important information to stick out, not blend in with the rest of the details. Use bullets, but use them sparingly.
  • DO save your file as your name and resume if you are sending it via email. This will make it much easier to access, and avoid confusion when interview time comes around.
  • DON’T use whatever generic or default name is provided, and avoid using dates or version numbers. Employers do not need to know how many different versions of your resume you have, or how often you update it.
  • DO include all available contact information such as phone number, email address, and even home address to ensure that you can be found if they want to check references or set up an interview.
  • DON’T include personal email addresses that are not professional, such as “luvskittens@hotmail” or “dottiethehottie@yahoo.” If it is the only email address you have, you should definitely open a new account.
  • DO use high quality paper of a relatively neutral color. Something more substantial will stand out in a stack of resumes.
  • DON’T use bright colors, scented paper or pens, or standard white copy paper (if you can avoid it). These “artistic” additions are distracting and unprofessional.
  • DO use font enhancements such as bold, italics, and underline. This will make your resume look more interesting, and help the important parts stand out.
  • DON’T go overboard with these enhancements. Much like the bullet points, you should use them to drive a point home, but use them sparingly. Additionally, do not change your font style throughout the paper, and never use varying colors.
  • DO highlight your achievements and accomplishments. Show how far you advanced in various positions, and what you did.
  • DON’T focus too much on the duties you performed. Highlighting individual tasks is a waste of time since employers rarely have time to read through them. It just takes away from the more important points.
  • DO use fragmented sentences. You may not realize this, but fragments actually help to enhance a point. When employers are scanning a resume, they rarely spend more than a minute or two on it, so shorter sentences and phrases are helpful.
  • DON’T use personal pronouns. Omitting “I” and “my” will add to the fragmented sentences, but will also make your resume easier to read. Your resume is obviously about you; so don’t bother with first person pronouns.
  • DO make your resume job specific. Include information that is relevant to the job for which you are applying, and make it show that you are the missing puzzle piece to their organization.
  • DON’T submit the same generic resume to many different job openings. Though you may be applying for similar jobs, do not use the same exact resume. When employers read it they will know it is generic, and that can greatly affect your chances.

The most important thing to remember is to remain honest. It is okay to be a little bit more confident in your skills than you normally are, but only include honest information. Good luck!

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Posted in Tips, Writing | 4 Comments »