Writing a ResumeBelow are tips on writing a resume that will help you make a lasting impression on your prospective employer. We are trained almost from childhood to be humble about ourselves, to showcase how well we get along with others, and to subordinate our own demands for personal excellence to the group. Although being a team player is important, your humility will not serve you well when writing a resume. A resume needs to convey to a potential employer what you've done, and what you're capable of learning, and what you can bring to the company. Under your name, write a blurb about yourself as if you were writing one on the back of a book. Ensure the excitement captivates your audience (employer). Here is one example: With several years of business, management, and training experience, I have the unique perspective of providing clients with a well-rounded skill set. I have been a business manager for several years, publishing articles in various magazines pertaining to marketing, importing, and business success. I am eager to bring my expertise to your company to help generate growth and continue honing my skills to gain a platform for future career success. Next, list about ten of your strengths in point form. Include all the technological skills and non-technological skills you have e.g., leadership abilities, InDesign expertise, and so forth. First, know your life goals. Write down where you want to be in 5, 10, or 15 years from now. Ask yourself why you are passionate about the job. What will make you happy employed at this company? And how will working at this company help you reach your goals. This will help you tell your prospective employer what it is you are aiming for and how their company is the perfect fit. People writing resumes make one of two mistakes when it comes to goals. The first is to try to tailor the goal to exactly what the job description requires. This conveys that you're ONLY after this job for the pay check. The second is worse: the goal is written so listlessly and aimlessly that it seems like the candidate has no goal whatsoever. Seeing the total picture while writing a resume helps you see the flow in the employer-employee relationship:
Some people who write resumes tend to cram their entire Work History into it. They go for the “quantity over quality” school of filling out a resume, covering every job that might be remotely applicable. You can probably get away with writing only about three or four relevant jobs...but mention what's relevant about them. One technique that works well is to list your greatest challenges on a job, and then list what you learned from them or how you overcame them. Everyone experiences challenges on the job; showing that you can learn from the process is a valuable thing to convey. Also, when writing about your Work History, less is often more. You want to use this section to provide the interviewer questions about your experience. Don’t oversell or undersell your education. It is more important to show a potential employer how you used your education to face some of your previous challenges and how you can gain in the future from your past. Remember the flow. Remember also that you may need to have the flexibility to train for new skills. Finally, know your references and be sure they are enthusiastic about your abilities. Your future employer can hear beyond the spoken word and will know if your reference is sincere in recommending you.
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