Where to Start
A great deal of preparation goes into an excellent resume. You don't simply begin by writing. Here are some initial steps to consider:
First, establish clear goals for your job search. Then identify your skills that match your goals.
Next, gather supporting materials and summarize your past employment-related experiences.
Finally, you will write, rewrite and edit until the resume is perfect. Always have someone proofread your resume. You may also want someone to repeat back to you what your resume says.
Continuously work at keeping your perfect resume up-to-date. As you grow, your resume should grow with you; its development should mirror your personal and professional development.
Don't overwhelm employers by providing more information than necessary. Don't try to be everything to everyone. The greatest challenge won't be what to include in your resume, but what to leave out.
An attention-getting resume must be targeted, to the point and clearly identify your qualifications. Focus on skills and accomplishments with specific attention to actual results. Hobbies, crafts and clubs can also give you accomplishments and skills.
You aren't ready to approach prospective employers until you've taken these steps. Since it has to be done anyway, there is no better time than the present. If you're already engaged in these activities, you're that much closer to a finished product.
Skills Identification
Employers want to know what you can do, not just where you've worked. If you cannot clearly state at least 20 skills directly associated with your job goal, you aren't ready to write your resume.
Take the time to work on developing a list of your skills. As you develop your list, identify examples of places where you've used your skills. Also, be sure to state your skills in a positive light. Avoid any language that may reduce their value. Always be honest and positive.
When drafting your resume, clearly identify your skills. Whenever possible, state your skills as specific skills, to avoid being perceived as a generalist. For example, if you have word processing skills, state which software you've used.
All resumes today need to be skills-based resumes. Whatever style or format you use, your resume must clearly communicate the skills you bring to the job.
Goal Setting
An important element in resume preparation is establishing clear goals or objectives. It's critical that you target your resume to a specific occupational goal. The content of your resume should point to that goal.
Without this focus, your resume will be mediocre at best. Great resumes are ones in which every piece of information points to a clear occupational objective. If you've already established specific goals, you're prepared to write your resume. If not, you need to spend some time establishing your goals.
As you write your resume, keep your goal in view. This will help you decide what to include, what to leave out and will help target your resume.
One strategy is to write your goal on a separate piece of paper and weigh each item in your resume against your goal. If it isn't clear how the item relates to your goal, then strongly consider eliminating it.
Your resume should be an honest presentation of your best qualities.
The Language of Resumes
Resumes must be skills-based and clearly target your objectives and the needs of employers. Beyond this, there are many ways to present these skills.
You may use narrative, bullets, lists of keywords, highlights or other presentation styles. The resume must have impact and flair.
What you say is important, but how you say it is just as important. To highlight your skills and qualifications, use action words:
- Mastered three word processing programs: WordPerfect, Microsoft Word and AmiPro
- Increased regional sales of widgets by 1.2 million
- Organized a neighborhood block party of 50 homes, which helped reduce crime by 15 percent
- Achieved 100 percent attendance during training
Notice the use of measures to strengthen statements of accomplishment. Also notice how action verbs like "mastered" make the statements stand out. It's one thing to say that you have a particular skill; it's another to proclaim that you have excelled in its performance.
Click here for a list of “action verbs” to strengthen your resume language.
Resumes aren't literary; they're promotional. The rules of grammar are modified from formal writing. Complete sentences aren't necessary. Avoid the use of "I," as the subject of the resume is assumed to be the person named in the heading of the resume.
Avoid long narratives. Remember that your resume may be one of the dozens or even hundreds that are submitted to an employer. Here are some questions you should ask yourself that will make your resume stand out from the crowd:
- Could someone reading this resume easily understand what my skills are?
- Does the resume specify what I can do to help the employer?
- Is the content "tailored" to a particular job?
- Does it convey my desire to do quality work?
- Does it give someone a desire to learn more about me?
The resume is like a preview of coming attractions. The goal is to win an interview. It's at the interview that the job is won. A statement with an action verb and a specific accomplishment prompt an employer to find out more about you.