Posts Tagged ‘write a resume’
March 26th, 2010 | 
Author: I know that parts of this aretilce are so basic that it will appear to some of you as third grade curriculum. To others who may not have been in the work force for awhile it will be necessary reading. So with that said let’s begin.
What exactly is a resume and the purpose?
Simply put a resume is a review of your work history. This article is about “How To Write a Resume.” It only explains the purpose of having one. If you have never written one then you need to do it right. Consider hiring a professional service to get you started.
If you have a long work history going back 20+ years it’s not necessary to review your whole life. Just the last four to five jobs you have held, the position, responsibilities, acknowledgments etc. It should be well written (we will show you how to do that further down). The purpose – is to get an interview! Like anything, you have about 15 – 20 seconds to grab the readers attention. Fail to do that and your resume goes in the trash.
Who needs a resume?
Anyone who needs a job, whether it is to change careers, or stay within the same type of job needs a resume. If you are new to the work force, whether just out of college or a stay at home mom/dad this gives you the opportunity to display your abilities and skills. Even if you are going to an interview through the referral of a friend you need a well written resume. If it is well written it will answer many questions the interviewer may have. Now if the position is making hamburgers at McDonalds or tacos at Taco Bell this won’t necessarily apply. For any other type of employment (manufacturing etc.) it is an absolute necessity, and it must be done right!
Can I write it myself or is it complex?
Anyone can write a resume themselves but will the person you want to impress read it? Well, that’s another story. Our goal is to offer help with this to make sure you have the best chance of gaining the interview. Even a first time job seeker needs the best resume they can have, and we don’t mean on fancy, watermarked paper. If your content doesn’t grab their attention your fancy paper won’t either.
Why might I need to have my resume professionally written?
If the job you are applying for pays minimum wage, then you don’t need to spend a lot of money for this service. A quality Resume Template is what you need. However, that doesn’t mean that you can sit down and in 15 minutes crank one out. The idea that you can successfully do this is a myth.
Over the years the type of resume required to obtain a quality job has changed. If you have never written a resume then you do need guidance in what the corporate world is looking for. You will only have 15 to 20 seconds to get the readers attention so quality counts.
Posted in 
Tags: 
Most people, no matter what job they seek or how long they’ve been part of the working world, make the same mistake when it comes to the resume writing process. They forget – or simply don’t know how – to develop their resume from the employer’s point of view.
“Employers want to know several things about you within seconds of glancing at your resume. Your job, then, is to be hit-them-over-the-head obvious about who you are, what job you’re seeking and what you have to offer them,” says Louise Kursmark, a certified professional resume writer and author of “30-Minute Resume Makeover.”
When sifting through resumes, most employers and recruiters know exactly what they’re looking for. Resumes that meet their expectations are ones that respond to the following questions:
Who Are You?
To determine how well your resume addresses this, Kursmark suggests having friends or colleagues read it. Within five seconds of them looking at the resume, snatch it back from them and quiz them on what they know about you as a job seeker based on what they read. If they can’t offer a quick answer that truly describes you, your resumes summary needs some work.
What Can You Do For Me?
The most effective way to show employers the value you offer is to show them how you’ve contributed to an employer’s success elsewhere. These examples must be specific, measurable accomplishments that cite numbers and other details. For instance, did you create a report that tracked results, or saved the company work and time? Did you find a way to save them money by taking on a responsibility?
Do You Have The Skills I’m Looking For?
Scan job ads and job descriptions to discover which skills are most relevant to the employers and recruiters receiving your resume. Then strategically place them throughout your resume to ensure it makes it past computer scans and into the hands of employers and recruiters. If they say you need to have customer service skills then describe your previous position in such a way that it highlights that. If they want you to know a certain computer program then describe how you used it at your last job.
Where Have You Worked Before?
This one should be simple. Employers want to know where you worked, for how long and which job titles you’ve held that may indicate how prepared you are for a role at their organization.
Is Your Experience Relevant To My Needs?
Sometimes it’s necessary to expand upon a job title or job description to truly demonstrate that you have experience that applies to the job you’re seeking. Consider using bullets to present brief and interesting information that is relevant to the employer.
Do You Have The Right Education And Credentials?
If you have the education, credentials and training needed to qualify for the job, be sure to say so! Use commonly accepted terminology and keywords in this section to ensure your information isn’t misinterpreted or overlooked by employers or resume scanners.
Do I See Any “Red Flags” In Your Background?
Gaps in employment (an indication of job hopping), spending too much time in the same job or resume errors may alert employers and recruiters that you are not the type of candidate they’re looking for in their organization. You can turn “red flags” into a positive by calling attention to it first and making it a positive. Call attention by addressing the issue and explaining it thereby disarming the hiring person.
For instance if you’ve been 8 years at one job outline the various job titles, or responsibilities that were added in a date format. Say you started as the receptionist and then 2 years later you were an administrative assistant and then 2 years later you were the executive assistant to the president. Show a progression of responsibility within the company.
