Does anyone know of a good resume writing site?

Seeking employment. Looking for a professional resume writing company that is affordable and does great work. There seem to be a lot online, just not sure which one is the best for me. Any help will be appreciated.

How To Format A Career Change Resume

If you are seeking to change careers, the best resume format to use is the combination resume. This resume format is not chronological nor functional. It combines both. It is extremely flexible and allows you to use strategies in a way that would normally be considered wrong.

The difference between the combination format and the chronological format is that the chronological format resume is very easy to follow. The hiring manager will typically start to read the chronological resume at the bottom of the work history or professional experience section and will continue reading his or her way up towards the top to trace your career history. The heading depends on your career level.

If there are employment gaps, it will be obvious because it is difficult to hide breaks in employment using this resume format. This is why most hiring managers prefer the chronological resume format. It is easy to read and leaves little to the imagination. This can be a great advantage if you have been in the same type of position because it shows continuity and progression in your industry.

But what happens when you have held different types of positions across several industries? Some reasons for gaps in employment or holding too many or unrelated jobs include raising children, caring for a family member, illness, returning to college, corporate downsizing or merger, joining the military, and difficulty finding work for long stretches of time because of a tight job market or weak resume.

Hey, things happen. That is life. You cannot worry about the past. It is time to think about the future. So, the first thing you will need to do is toss your old resume. It will not help you to change your career. It is time to make a fresh start.

First, create a resume that clearly indicates at the top what type of position you are seeking.

Include a career summary section that highlights where you have been in your career, being careful to only mention what would be of most interest to this particular company. Emphasize your transferable experience and skills that match the qualifications of the position. If there is a job ad, study it and do your best to make a connection between the job requirements and what you have done. Do not use the exact wording.

Use a keywords section to list transferable skills so the reader can find them immediately. This is also important if the company uses resume scanning technology. This will ensure your resume is retrieved from the database in response to a keyword search.

Under your Professional Experience section or Work History. Again, it depends on your background. Then present your experience in functional sections such as General Management, Sales Management, Staff Training and Supervision, Budget Planning and Tracking, amongst many others.

Take all of the experience you have gained over the years and categorize it into skill or functional areas that the new position requires. If the company is seeking someone to manage budgets, and you managed budgets ten years ago and four years ago, but not in your last two jobs, then list the collective experience under a Budget category.

Continue this formula until each respective category has a minimum of four bulleted sentences or two two-lined sentences to support the name of the heading. It is a good idea to have at least three categories to show how well rounded you are.

Below this section, list the companies, locations, job titles, and dates. You can either create a separate section named Work History if you have already called the above section Professional Experience, or simply list the section without a main heading as part of the main section. It will be understood. Or, you can start the section off with the company names and dates followed by the functional categories. In other words, flip it.

The most common problem with this resume format is identifying where your experience was gained. But, that is the whole idea. If they are interested in what you can do, they will call you in for the interview. It is at that time you can explain the how, when, where, and why of it all. It will make for great conversation, which by the way, a job interview should be. A meeting between two people with a common interest, in this case the position, who engage in conversation in a professional manner.

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How to Shorten Your Job Search

Searching for the right position requires focus and a great deal of targeted job searching. If you would like to find the right job for you in a highly targeted manner, then you need to follow certain steps that may take you out of your typical comfort zone.

The typical job seeker will usually decide that they have to find the jobs that are available- – the ones listed on on job boards, in the newspaper, etc. This is a comfortable path to follow; it’s one that we have tried over and over again. It has probably led us to the current position we occupy, or to the previous ones that were held.

If you’re searching for a position, or considering the possibility, wouldn’t you be interested in following a shorter path that will help you uncover the jobs that are available, and the ones that have yet to posted? Of course you would. If we can find ways to make the job search successful – - and shorter – - then all of us would be willing to follow a different path.

In this article, I will provide 3 important steps to follow to help you succeed within your job search, and help to make it a shorter process.

Step 1: Target the company
Make a decision which company aligns with your career interests, path, advancement, goals. Create a list that includes 5 or more companies that you believe match with your goals and background. How do you find these companies? Some may be drawn from your familiarity of the types of businesses and industries in your area (whether local or regional depending on your relocation desires). Some may be currently seeking resumes and have posted available positions. Do the necessary research to review your targeted companies’ background, objectives, position needs.

Step 2: Identify the business need
Using your list of targeted companies, use your research skills to identify the current and prevailing business need. For example, after researching a specific organization, I uncovered that the company had an extensive growth plan to be implemented over the course of five years. Through this company’s website, I was able to uncover a pdf. file that tracked the anticipated staffing needs to ensure the company reached it’s growth goals across the country. From this type of data, you can make general assumptions regarding how someone with your qualifications may fit in with a targeted company’s mission or goals. Through use of the internet, track down company press releases, events, financial information to get as much information as possible.

Step 2: Market yourself BEFORE sending your resume
How do you get into your targeted companies? In cases where the position you’re seeking has been advertised, you may be required to go through a screening-out process with the HR department. In this case, before you send your resume, contact the HR Manager, introduce yourself and your qualifications, and ask if it’s possible to review the company hiring process with you. Ask if the position is still available for interviews. Ask for an email address to send your resume (especially if they requested online applications in the job posting). Additionally, be sure to courteously speak with any administrative staff who handle or forward your calls – - introduce yourself, explain your interest in submitting your resume. Develop the relationship and increase your name recognition prior to submitting your resume. Even if there has not been an advertised position, you can follow the above steps.

These are three key steps which can provide much needed help to get you in front of the right person at your targeted company.

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4 Steps to Increase Your Confidence During Job Interviews

So, you have finally moved beyond the prescreening phase and have landed the job interview! Your resume set the stage to get you in the door, and now here is your chance to ice the cake. The interview, as you are well aware, is what will either move you towards completion of your goal – or it will be the last step in a lengthy series of steps you have already undertaken. Question: how can you succeed within the interview?

Assuming that you have appropriately prepared yourself for the interview, then the interview should be easy. However, despite all of the preparation, even the best falter when sitting down face to face with a hiring manager or human resources staff. It is one thing to outline who you are on a piece of paper (the resume), it is something else to actually explain who you are in person and face-to-face with another person. The one question most of us dread having to answer is: “Tell me about yourself.” Do they want to know where you previously worked..or where you were born? I mean, there are just so many ways to go with that unbelievably dreaded question. Here is a quick tip: the “tell me about yourself question” is simply asking you to “tell me why you are sitting here, today, interviewing for this specific job?” That is it, nothing more.

So, what are the 4 steps to succeed within a job interview? The best career advice, as it relates to job interviews, career development, etc., is one that encourages the candidate to creatively customize the steps. So the following steps below apply regardless if you are seeking a position as an educator or a computer programmer, a manager or a salesclerk. The most important thing to remember is that every interviewer has a particular goal in mind. If you use these 4 steps, then you are likely to cover all the bases.

The four steps specifically deal with how you manage your response to the interviewer’s questions. Did you catch the word “manage” as it was used in the previous sentence? Yes, I am talking about how you manage the process – - take control of the interview – -. So, when the interviewer asks you a question (i.e., tell me how you handle an angry customer) here are the four steps, as promised:

1) Provide a brief description of the situation: “One of my customers was unhappy with our XYZ widgets.”

2) Add some detail to describe the specific task or role you were assigned to deal with the situation: “I was responsible for dealing directly with our department’s major clients and so, I was charged with turning the situation around for this unhappy customer.”

3) Provide one or two key action steps you took to handle the situation: “I contacted the customer directly and requested feedback. I authorized a refund or future discounts to this particular customer.”

4) As a RESULT of your action steps, what happened? “As a result of the refund and discount, the customer increased their orders by 25%.”

The four steps may be interchangeable – - you describe step 4 (the results) prior to step 1 (the situation), however, the key is to be able to list specific results that were gained. Most importantly, the results have to be tied directly to your action steps. Interviewers are looking for RESULTS, not just generalities (”I think I would make a good employee for your company”; or worse yet, “I am good with clients because I enjoy relating to others.”). They need hard facts, verifiable data. And you are the most qualified candidate who is prepared to give it to them.

A bit of caution: please do not create a script to memorize these 4 steps. Ok, if it makes you feel comfortable, and better prepared, then you can write specific responses to the typical interview questions and follow the 4 steps above. Review it, then throw the script away. What is important is that you remember the 4 steps and can apply them to your own career success stories.

The best type of job interview is one that unfolds into a content-rich discussion of how your specific qualifications match the needs of the company. It is important for the interviewer to be able to see how you fit within the company environment and culture. Of course, one interview may not provide all of this detail – - but you want to give yourself a good head start. Succeeding within the interview requires extensive preparation, an understanding of how to tailor your capabilities within the scope of the company’s needs, and your ability to provide details related to how you can provide desired results as a future employee.

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10 Tips to Job-Winning Interviews

These days, you have to work hard to get a serious job interview. After running just one want ad, recruiters will see thousands of resumes. So getting picked for an interview is a reason to celebrate.

But after celebrating The Call, plan for success. You’ll have limited time to impress an interviewer. Even if you decide you don’t want the job, I recommend using the opportunity to practice. An offer will build your confidence for the job you really want. And who knows? You may get invited to interview for a really desirable option

1. Do your homework: Investigate the company’s culture, finances and markets.

Publications and media reports will help — but you’ll usually get a biased picture. Get on the phone and call anyone who might be able to give you information. See if you can find somebody who knows somebody who had first-hand contact with the organization.

But once you’re in the meeting, resist the temptation to show off what you’ve researched (”I just read that you’re about to embark on a new product line”) unless you have a question directly related to your career. Interviewers can tell when you’re going through the motions.

2. Look like you belong.

Learn the company’s dress code and err on the side of conservatism. Some companies will expect you to show up in a classic suit even when all the incumbents are wearing shorts.

When you’re seeking a senior position based on industry experience, you’ll be expected to know the rules without being told.

3. Take charge of the interview!

The most successful interviews feel like friendly conversations. When your interviewer has an agenda (such as the infamous “stress interview”) stay relaxed. Think of playing a game.

When your interviewer refuses to be deflected from a series of prepared questions, raise a red flag. You may be dealing with an HR person who will disapppear as soon as you’re hired. That’s okay.

But if your boss seems to be reading from a canned program, she may be inexperienced, naive, rigid, overworked or lazy. Wait for the second interview before making a decision.

4. Assume everyone you meet will provide feedback to the decision-maker.

Some companies hand out comment forms to receptionists, security guards and potential peers who take you to lunch. You can bet your future boss will listen to the secretary who marches into his office to say, “If he gets hired, I quit.”

5. Communicate interest and enthusiasm, even if you’re not sure you’re ready to commit.

You’ll rarely have all the facts until you’re looking at an offer. When you make a good impression, you may get redirected to a different job. Your interviewer may move to a new position and remember you. And it’s always an ego-booster to say, “Thanks but no thanks.”

6. Bring extra copies of your correspondence as well as your resume, references, writing samples, portfolio and current business cards.

Interviewers lose documents and conversations move in unexpected directions. A neatly organized folder will help you stand out from the pack.

7. Create a relaxed, positive attitude by devising a realistic game plan.

I encourage my own clients to have a “next step” ready to implement after the interview, before you hear the decision. When your career isn’t riding on a single interview, you’ll have fun and make a confident, relaxed impression.

8. Write a thank you letter within forty-eight hours.

Create a low-key sales letter, emphasizing how your qualifications match the company’s needs. Present yourself as a resource, not a supplicant.

If you find yourself resisting this step, raise a red flag. Maybe on some level you don’t want the job. That’s okay: you can write a 2-line thank you note – even an email – just in case they’ve got another job waiting in the wings.

9. After sending the follow-up, forget about the interview.

Email or phone only if you’ve received a competing offer with a deadline. Silence does not necessarily mean rejection. One manager received an interview a full year after she applied for a job. By coincidence, she was just ready to make a move and her story had a happy ending.

Occasionally you may make points with follow-up mailings. A sports team public relations applicant sent puzzles, games and press releases — and she got the job. Use your intuition.

10. Keep notes of what you learned from the process. What worked? What would you do differently?

Use your notes as you move through the process. Consider spending a single hour with a friend or unbiased career consultant to discuss the process.

Be careful of unsolicited feedback. Clients always surprise me with career legends they’ve picked up from neighbors, in-laws, siblings and even total strangers they meet on a plane.

Finally: Don’t stop until you have a written offer with a start date, salary and terms, signed by a company officer or HR department. No written offers? Keep looking until you show up the first day and find a desk with your name on it.

And as soon as you begin your new job, make a brand-new career plan. Create your next safety net before you need one.

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Creating a Good Resume is an Art

Landing a good job will depend a lot on your education and work history. Also important is how well you do during the interview process. But, if you can’t get your foot in the door, you most likely can blame your resume. If you’re going for a job you’re qualified for, the resume is key to opening the door.

Many people believe they need to lie on their resumes to even get an interview. This is not so. Employers, at least many of them, check references and background before they call people in for interviews. So, if a lie is present, you may not even get a call. Or, if checking isn’t done on the front end, it will be done if a problem arises. If you lied to get the job, there could be legal actions taken. So, either way, you lose. Save yourself the hassle and be honest on a resume.

Over and above being honest on a resume, there is an art to creating one for different positions. A resume is an extension of the person applying for a job. It should speak to its readers about the person’s competence, skills and abilities. It should tell them this “is the one I want” before an interview even takes place.

To make sure your resume gets the attention you deserve from potential employers, here are some basic tips:
* Go after jobs you’re qualified for. Don’t apply for a rocket science position with a degree in English and expect to get a phone call. Be realistic about your background, education and skills.
* Tailor a resume for the employer. If you’re going for a sales job, state your objectives in that field clearly. If you want to be an artist, say that and where you’d like to go in the field. Different resume styles should be used for different positions as well. An artist likely would want a more creative piece whereas an engineer a more basic one.
* Provide basic information. This means basics about education, work history, skills and personal information such as telephone number and address.
* Give them enough information to get their interest without boring them. Personnel directors do not have the time to read five-page resumes. Keep yours short, compelling and to the point and you’ll capture their attention. Make it so long they need to take a lunch break to read it, and your resume might end up in the trash.
* Be clear and concise with wording. Don’t embellish. Tell the truth, but do it well.
* If you’re writing a cover letter, keep this short, but explain why you want the job and why you’re the best person for it. Remember, you’re selling yourself here. Your skills and knowledge or ability to learn are your products, play them up!

Once a resume has been crafted, be certain to read it over very carefully. Companies do not want to hire people who cannot fill out basic forms. For almost every supervisory position going, there is at least one resume that comes in from someone who wants to be a “manger” instead of a “manager.” Don’t rely on spell check on a computer either or you’re likely to be looking for that manger’s position and a good “car” instead of “career.”

A resume is the first selling point for a person seeking a job. A well-written resume can open doors. A poorly written one can close them and keep them that way. Be clear, concise and honest.

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Power Up Your Resume

The first thing that an employer usually sees about you is your resume. It is not just a listing of your qualifications, experience, and education. It is an actual extension of yourself. Your resume is your first interview with the employer, and it should be just as dynamic as you would be if you were there – even more so, in fact! You already know how important first impressions are. Since your resume is your very first impression, even more attention needs to be paid to that presentation than to what you wear to your first interview.

Taking this concept even farther, think about your resume’s first impression. What image of you does it project as it comes into view for the very first time? In what way does it stand out from the rest of the stack and draw the reviewer to want to pull it out and read it first? It’s appearance, the paper it is on, not being bent or folded, an attractive layout, all being on one page, and easy readability of the font all contribute to the reader’s experience. And that experience needs to be all positive!

Don’t go nuts on the paper choice, however. It shouldn’t be on super-thick stock or too much of a non-resume color. Go with a nice quality, medium stock, off-white color such as beige or light gray. Do pay attention to the layout and font choice. Arial is probably best. Use bold where appropriate and lead the reader through the document naturally, without having to do any straining. A potential employer should not feel like they have to work to read your resume.

The most important part of the document is your employment objective. This should be right at the top, the first thing they see after your name and contact information. It should be customized for each potential employer! There should be some boldness to it (not just in the type style), tempered with respect and professionalism. For example, if you are applying for a receptionist position at ABC corporation, your objective might be: “To begin my life-long career as a top executive at ABC corporation by being the flat-out most outstanding receptionist in the history of the company.”

There are only two additional sections that are necessary to a resume after the employment objective: Work Experience and Education. And even education may not be necessary in some situations. Which order you put them in depends on your work experience, education, and the type of work you are seeking. For example, if you just graduated from Harvard you won’t have any work experience but you can certainly expect job offers. Your education will be what you are highlighting. On the other hand, if you are an account executive in a niche industry then you could even leave education off the resume entirely, because all anyone cares about is your experience, past production, and contacts.

When writing your work experience, throw a parade for yourself! This is no time for modesty. You were the absolute best at what you did, and you need to phrase your descriptions in that light. Pay no attention to what your previous employer’s stupid job title for your position was – instead, use your own job title that accurately describes what you did (keeping in mind they will be calling your previous employer to verify). For example, if your last job title was officially “Janitor,” on your resume it could be “Facility Maintenance Manager.”

Similarly, in your previous job description you always managed something. Whatever your position, I guarantee there was something you had to manage, so describe it that way. More importantly, I’m equally sure that there were problems which you solved. Be SURE to mention those.

If you received any recognition awards in the past, create a separate section at the end and list them in a less-than-modest manner. End the resume with a line about references available upon request, and do prepare them on a separate sheet. Almost any employer will follow up on references these days. If you have room, you can even list them at the bottom of your resume and save that step.

Remember, you are the best at what you do. Every line of your resume should be written with that in mind, and your resume should be the best one that’s ever been compiled for the position you are seeking. If you can get that through your head, and permeate it unto paper effectively, you ought to be able to get any job you want.

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Andrew Kasch is an expert in his own eyes on most business-related subjects. You can get more resume writing tips at his website: www.freeresumetips.info

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Taking The Resume Reader’s Needs Into Consideration

Before you write your own resume, examine professionally written resume samples to get ideas about writing styles and eye-catching resume formats. Then, write your resume with the reader in mind. If they are seeking someone with your background and skill set, be sure to make that the focus of your resume.

Do not use the resume templates that come with your word processor. They look like everyone else’s resume on the hiring manager’s desk.

Take the extra time needed to add visual appeal to your resume. If you are not able to do this effectively, you should seriously consider retaining the services of a professional resume writer. Be sure to ask them if they specialize in creating eye-catching resume formats in addition to their writing services.

Your goal should be to make a connection between what the hiring manager is seeking and what you have to offer in those select areas.

To get that message across at first glance, make your objective clear and highly visible. You can do this by creating a job title and positioning it prominently below your name and address. It tells the hiring manager what you are all about and sets the tone for the rest of the resume.

RESUME HEADING
Your resume heading should in bold and all caps such as this: REGIONAL SALES MANAGER

PROFILE
Your Profile or Summary section is a coutesy to the reader. It allows them to sum you up in short order. This important section sets the tone for the resume and highlights your key qualifications. This way the hiring manager can quickly get a sense who you professionally without having to read the entire resume.

Specifically, this section should list your number of years of experience, industry, credentials, and key attributes that are essential to the position you are targeting. For example, if the position is sales, your attributes would be strong communicator, strategic negotiator, and ability to establish and build key business relationships.

KEYWORDS
Keywords or industry jargon can be included in your Summary or throughout your entire resume (recommended) so you can communicate your select areas of skills by listing appropriate areas of interest specific to the job.

In the case scenario for a sales professional, these keywords might be as follows: relationship building, territory sales management, client consultation, public speaking, sales presentations, contract negotiations, value-added selling, client training and support. One of the best sources to find relevant keywords is in job ads.

ACHIEVEMENTS
This is no time to be shy and modest. You will want to toot your horn a bit by including your most impressive achievements. Your accomplishments should be presented in a factual or story telling way that gives the reader the sense that you do more than just your basic responsibilities and are not a clock watcher.

ACTION VERBS
Do not make the mistake of starting every sentence off with “responsible for”. That is understood. Try playing with action verbs such as led, directed, supervised, spearheaded, steered, guided, and executed. Instead of writing a sentence like this: Responsible for distribution operations throughout the Metro New York Area, consider revising it to read like this: Managed distribution operations throughout the Metro New York Area. Here is another example: Led the success of distribution operations throughout the Metro New York Area.

CONSISTENCY
Watch for consistency in present and past tense. If you are no longer with a company, be sure to make it past tense. Just as important, triple check for typos. Have someone else read your resume for misspellings, dates, missing periods and obviously poor grammar.

Again, review professionally written resume samples to get ideas about writing styles and eye-catching resume formats. But, make the effort to make it your own.

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4 Steps to Successful Job Interviews

So, you have finally moved beyond the prescreening phase and have landed the job interview! Your resume set the stage to get you in the door, and now here is your chance to ice the cake. The interview, as you are well aware, is what will either move you towards completion of your goal – or it will be the last step in a lengthy series of steps you have already undertaken. Question: how can you succeed within the interview?

Assuming that you have appropriately prepared yourself for the interview, then the interview should be easy. However, despite all of the preparation, even the best falter when sitting down face to face with a hiring manager or human resources staff. It is one thing to outline who you are on a piece of paper (the resume), it is something else to actually explain who you are in person and face-to-face with another person. The one question most of us dread having to answer is: “Tell me about yourself.” Do they want to know where you previously worked? Or, where you were born? I mean, there are just so many ways to go with that unbelievably dreaded question. Here is a quick tip: the “tell me about yourself question” is simply asking you to “tell me why you are sitting here, today, interviewing for this specific job?” That is it, nothing more.

So, what are the 4 steps to succeed within a job interview? The best career advice, as it relates to job interviews, career development, etc., is one that encourages the candidate to creatively customize the steps. So the following steps below apply regardless if you are seeking a position as an educator or a computer programmer, a manager or a salesclerk. The most important thing to remember is that every interviewer has a particular goal in mind. If you use these 4 steps, then you are likely to cover all the bases.

The four steps specifically deal with how you manage your response to the interviewer’s questions. Did you catch the word “manage” as it was used in the previous sentence? Yes, I am talking about how you manage the process – - take control of the interview – -. So, when the interviewer asks you a question (i.e., tell me how you handle an angry customer) here are the four steps, as promised:

1) Provide a brief description of the situation: “One of my customers was unhappy with our XYZ widgets.”

2) Add some detail to describe the specific task or role you were assigned to deal with the situation: “I was responsible for dealing directly with our department’s major clients and so, I was charged with turning the situation around for this unhappy customer.”

3) Provide one or two key action steps you took to handle the situation: “I contacted the customer directly and requested feedback. I authorized a refund or future discounts to this particular customer.”

4) As a RESULT of your action steps, what happened? “As a result of the refund and discount, the customer increased their orders by 25%.”

The four steps may be interchangeable – - you describe step 4 (the results) prior to step 1 (the situation), however, the key is to be able to list specific results that were gained. Most importantly, the results have to be tied directly to your action steps. Interviewers are looking for RESULTS, not just generalities (”I think I would make a good employee for your company”; or worse yet, “I am good with clients because I enjoy relating to others.”). They need hard facts, verifiable data. And you are the most qualified candidate who is prepared to give it to them.

A bit of caution: please do not create a script to memorize these 4 steps. Ok, if it makes you feel comfortable, and better prepared, then you can write specific responses to the typical interview questions and follow the 4 steps above. Review it, then throw the script away. What is important is that you remember the 4 steps and can apply them to your own career success stories.

The best type of job interview is one that unfolds into a content-rich discussion of how your specific qualifications match the needs of the company. It is important for the interviewer to be able to see how you fit within the company environment and culture. Of course, one interview may not provide all of this detail – - but you want to give yourself a good head start. Succeeding within the interview requires extensive preparation, an understanding of how to tailor your capabilities within the scope of the company’s needs, and your ability to provide details related to how you can provide desired results as a future employee.

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The 5 Most Important Things to Know When Writing Your Resume

The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines a resume as a short account of one’s career and qualifications prepared typically by an applicant for a position.

The reality is that when you create your resume, you are like an artist/painter. Your pen is the brush and the paper is your canvas. Create a masterpiece and it will sell! Paint a dud and your own resume will abuse you.

The main purpose of a resume along with the accompanying cover letter is to get you the interview, pure and simple.

The way to accomplish this is to show off your strengths and achievements and minimize your weaknesses (we all have them). If you write your resume correctly, strengths will appear stronger and weaknesses will be less visable.

Remember, now is not the time to be modest – if you don’t tell the hiring manager how good you are and what you can do for his or her company, no one else will.

You have about 5-10 seconds at the most, to attract the attention of the person reading your resume for the first time, so you skills and abilities have to be seen fast and be relevant.

Listed below are ways your resume should be used.

What does a resume do?

– Your resume organizes your career by selecting and presenting specific events clearly and concisely.

– It forces you to take inventory of your achievements – the more you understand about yourself, the more capable you become in explaining yourself to others.

– A resume should stimulate employer interest in meeting you.

– Good resumes tell the company that they would benefit from calling you in for a personal interview.

The bottom line however is it’s ONLY purpose is to get you an interview.

When the hiring manager first reads the resume it should:

– make the reader want to learn more – a tease.

– quickly convey how and why you are better than the rest of the candidates in the stack of resumes they have.

– tell them what you did and how well you did it.

– show that you are uniquely qualified to solve the problem the employer has.

At the interview the resume:

– is a basis on which to start a discussion.

– serves as an agenda for a discussion, which means you have predetermined the interview’s structure.

– acts as a leave behind.

After the interview:

– The person(s) who interviews you can use your resume to strengthen his/her case to other team members.

– The resume serves as an overview for others in the organization.

View your resume through the eyes of the hiring manager:

– A resume reflects your image; anything that does not help you get an interview should not be on the resume.

– View a resume as your own personal advertisement.

– The past is relevant only insofar as it shows your potential for the future.

– When in doubt, leave it out!

A good resume:

– zeros in on those skills and abilities that you have that are most relevant and important to the job you are seeking.

– focuses on your achievements and accomplishments not just the responsibilities you had at each job.

– reveals the results of your achievements.

– should project your career as a series of progressive accomplishments.

– needs to be short on words and long on facts.

– is eye appealing and visually inviting.

Just remember, your past accomplishments and achievements are relevant only as it relates to what you can do now for the hiring company. No matter how good you were at a previous company, to the hiring company, it’s all about what can you do for them.

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