Resume Writing Tips, Updated 06/04/08: How to Write a Professional Resume!
Nationally Certified Resume Writer
Master Resume Writer
What is the main secret to writing a professional resume? Writing everything in your resume to serve the needs of your future employer! If it is not related or of value to your employer -- don't list it!
You will succeed at creating an excellent resume by fulfilling your prospective employers’ desire to hire the best and by helping them hire a person (you) that will produce the results they seek. This might seem obvious to you right now, but, believe me, there have been plenty of resumes written by people who ignore this point. They list information they have guessed is relevant without performing the research. So, research...please! If you need further assistance, please inquire about hiring our resume writer.
The following are some of the most basic points you should cover when writing a professional resume.
1. Choose a Title to Target! Decide on the job title you will be targeting (yes, this does mean that you must have more than one resume if you are interested in more than one position).
Everything listed on your resume must pertain to, or at least be beneficial to, that particular position. If you don’t target your resume, it’s like trying to sell a hotdog to a vegetarian -- not happening!
2. Find Descriptions: Do you truly know what this job requires? Research job descriptions for your intended title. This will help you fully understand the job and match the requirements to your skill and experience. You can find these job descriptions by referring to the company’s Web site, or you can look up descriptions online at the U.S. Department of Labor.
You can also visit your local library and request “The Dictionary of Occupational Titles,” or “The Occupational Outlook Handbook.”
3. Fully Analyze the Job Description: Match your training, skill level, experience to these descriptions.
4. Your Opening Statement: Describe yourself as the ideal candidate (based on your research and your honest qualifications); these sentences will help you create a strong Profile. Profiles are more powerful than Objective statements. Objective statements, unless written very skillfully, are most often catered to the job seeker’s desire. Remember you want to capture your reader’s attention by making your resume about their needs and not yours.
5. Keywords: Keywords are industry buzzwords used to describe and identify a professional in your industry. In addition, these keywords will help you survive a keyword scan. When you send your resume to large corporations, most of the time (especially via the Internet), your resume is scanned into a database. If your resume contains keywords, then someone might actually read your resume. You didn't expect them to manually select from thousands of resumes...did you?
6. Computer Skills: You will also list all computer platforms you know and all general computer software. A professional that is computer literate is an advantage in any industry. Whenever possible, list the actual names: Windows XP, Word 2003, Excel, Outlook Express, PowerPoint, and so on. If you do not posses any computer skills (besides surfing the Web, obviously), I highly recommend you take up a course. This is an incredible advantage that everyone should possess.
7. Employment History Data: Section your work information (company, job title, city and state, and dates) in chronological order from present to past. This resume format works best for people who have had a solid work history with very little, or no interruptions. If you have gaps in your work history or are making a career transition that is very different to what you have done previously, then a functional or a combination resume would be your best format. Functional resumes first present the necessary to perform the job, later where you worked; combination fuses both a chronological with a highlight of your skills!
8. Job Descriptions: You have listed all employments information in chronological order, now go back to your most present employment and describe in a non-bulleted form what you were accountable for (not responsible, please do not use this word because it is too mundane and does not describe your willingness). Keep it concise, don’t go on and on, and don’t detail minor information. Do, however, use the new industry jargon. Give them a general idea. One, two, or three sentences will suffice. It is not necessary that you list every single thing you have done for your employer; instead, quickly list strong sentences that sum up your role and convey significance. Keep your new job title in mind and if you are transitioning, stay away from jargon that will label you in your old job title.
9. Achievements: Once you have listed all your job descriptions, go through each one of your listed job titles and list bulleted accomplishments that will support your candidacy for your new job. Do not list more than five bulleted achievements because this will bore your reader. And, don't repeat the same achievements again and again. Everything must be relevant and follow a direction.
10. Education / Continued Education: This section can be either at the top or (usually) towards the bottom, depending on relevance. Basically, you want to list everything that will influence the reader to call you, because it supports relevant qualifications, first! If education happened more than three years ago, place it at the end, no matter how relevant.
11. Extra Information. Extra curricular activities do not belong on your resume, unless you are a student with very little experience and your extra curricular activity will support your candidacy. Do not list personal information other than your contact information. Organizations are important if they will support your candidacy (if it is relevant)!
12. Making Sense of It All
The bottom line is that resume writing must advertise and persuade while remaining professional and appealing. It must communicate powerfully and quickly, in a very succinct manner. Resumes have come a long way from the time when it was enough to submit a sheet with your information and the next thing you know... you are hired! It is now a marketing campaign because everyone is looking for the best buy! So, while you are writing your resume, think benefits, results, relevance, and keep that job title in mind at all times...and then, prove it with job descriptions and achievements that walk a fine line between advertising language and real concrete writing!
Of course, there is more involved when professional writers prepare your resume. More professional techniques about hiding your weaknesses, dealing with your particular “problem” areas, design, and copy that demands action. In addition, knowing how to select the correct keywords and package your resume with great action verbs.
Still, the above information will assist you in preparing a better resume. Remember to promote yourself as the valuable candidate you are, and resist the temptation to list information that will not support your candidacy because you are proud of those accomplishments. List those for yourself on another resume!
If you have questions or comments, please e-mail us. If you would like to learn more about our services please call us or visit: CreatingPrints.com Professional Resume Service.
Tel: 407-802-4962
