Seven Tips for a Better Resume

Seven Tips for a Better Resume     
by Alesia Benedict, CPRW, JCTC
GetInterviews.com

Want more interviews? Job search in tough times like now demand polished resumes more than ever. If you are attempting to write your own resume, these seven tips are important to follow:

SEVEN TIPS TO RESUME SUCCESS:

1. Select the best format.
While most resumes are written in a history chronological format, often a better technique is to evenly balance between skill set description, achievements, and employment.

2. Make certain your document is error free.
Since you are familiar with your own writing, you will "see" what you were thinking and not what is actually on the page. Do not rely on yourself to proofread your work and do not rely on spellcheck. Find a friend who has strong grammar skills to check your work.

3. Find a balance between wordiness and lack of detail.
Employers need to see details about your work history and experience, but they don’t need to know everything. The fact that you were Den Leader in your Cub Scout troop is irrelevant. Keep information germane to the goal of attaining an interview. Eliminate information that is not related and will not have direct impact on winning the interview.

4. Do not use personal pronouns.
"I", "me", "my", "mine", "our" should not be on a resume. Resumes are written in first person (implied). Example: For your prior job description, instead of writing: "I hired, trained and supervised a team of assistant managers and sales associates” you would instead state that you “Hired, trained and supervised a team of assistant managers and sales associates." Fragment sentences are perfectly acceptable on a resume and actually preferred.

5. Use numerical symbols for numbers.
While we are taught in school to spell out numbers less than ten, in resume writing, numerical symbols serve as “eye stops” and are a much better method.  Instead of writing “Developed a dynamic team of eight consultants.” it would be much more advantageous to state “Developed a dynamic team of 8 consultants."

6. Think "accomplishments" rather than "job duties".
What makes you stand out from the crowd? How did you come up with a way to do things better, more efficiently, or for less cost? What won honors for you? Information such as this is vital, will grab attention, and put your resume at the top of the list.

7. Keep it positive.
Reason for leaving a job and setbacks do not have a place on a resume. Employers are seeking people who can contribute and have successfully performed in the past. Concentrate on communicating these issues and avoid any detracting information.

Remember, many first time job interviews are conducted via telephone rather than in person as they used to be. Make sure you are prepared for that telephone call when it arrives. And make sure you have a resume that will make the phone ring!

About the Author:
Alesia Benedict, Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW) and Job and Career Transition Coach (JCTC) is the President of GetInterviews.com , a resume writing firm that provides mid-management and senior level professionals with customized, branded resumes and career marketing documents. Her and her firm’s credentials include being cited by JIST Publications as one of the "best resume writers in North America," quoted as a career expert in The Wall Street Journal, and published in a whopping 25+ career books.  All resume writers are certified writers and her professional team has the insight needed to develop aggressive, successful resumes and career search strategies.  Established in 1994, the firm has aided more than 50,000 job seekers to date. GetInterviews.com  offers a free resume critique and their services come with a wonderful guarantee -- interviews in 30 days or they'll rewrite for free!

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