Resume Writing – Your Skills Brochure

I have been asked for advice on resumes a number of times recently. Recyling an article I wrote a few years ago (with updates) in hopes it will help those who want to tackle their own resumes.

Resume Writing – Your Skills Brochure

An organized, effective resume will get you interviews. The job of the resume is to act as the ‘brochure’ of your skills; designed to ‘peak interest’ in potential employers - not a biography or complete work history. Your job in the interview is to sell the skills your ‘brochure’ promised.

Top 5 Rules

1. The structure of the resume should include your contact details, objective, key qualifications, recent work history and highest/most recent education.

2. Spelling and grammar must be PERFECT – this is critical!!

3. Always cater your objective to the specific role you are applying for. It is one sentence that is simple to customize for each opportunity.

4. Maximum 2 pages, plus cover letter (putting cover letter content in an email is acceptable if you are delivering your resume electronically).

5. Use numbers to quantify your accomplishments, wherever possible.

Qualifications

Most of us have trouble writing nice things about ourselves. Get over it, when it comes to resume writing. No one looking to hire a programmer is going to call for an interview if you say, “my C++ skills are ok”.

Results Driven Role

Include your results! If you led a department that exceeded budget by 40%, the line under qualifications should read something like:

Managed Team to 40% revenue growth in one year.

not

My Team did really well last year and sold more than ever.

Supportive Role

Don’t underestimate your skills. If you are proficient in 3 or more Microsoft tools, qualifications should read:

Proficient at Microsoft Office.

not

Worked with Outlook, Excel and Word.

Writing Style

Many of us think we know how to write. There are different categories of writing that each require a unique set of writing skills. Resume writing should be professional, short, concise, and results oriented.

It is likely you are applying for a position that is available because the interviewer is overworked and needs help. Accordingly, the interviewer doesn’t have time to read a ‘biography’ for each candidate. A qualified resume with key words and results that jump off the page is likely to result in an interview.

Happy job hunting!! For those who need resume help, contact www.justmomsense.com.

Comments

Depression Lies

Depression lies to us about who we are. It tricks us into believing negative self-talk, and then tries to make us too tired to fight back. It makes our bodies ache to discourage the physical activity that would create endorphins so needed to quiet the negative noise. Depression may tell us to either starve or over-feed our bodies, both attempts to skew our self-image. Depression lies to us, and sometimes we listen. I know depression. I used to be afraid to admit our acquaintance. In my 20s it would visit infrequently. I called it something else until I met it more often and our relationship grew. In my early 30s it was called S.A.D. (Seasonal Affected Disorder). Turns out my body likes sunshine. Once I left my retail travel career with 4 Caribbean jaunts each winter, my Doctor noticed a pattern of symptoms and a subsequent treatment plan was initiated. In my late 30s we became intimately acquainted, after each child birth and many hormonal shifts. Depr

Is it wrong to tell kids that their future is limitless?

So many of us tell our kids “you can be anything you want to be when you grow up”. But can they? The first time I told my daughter she had limits was during the naming of Catholic Pope Francis in 2013. She was 8 and asked if she could be Pope one day. I told her females are not allowed to be head of the Catholic Church. I answered her “why” with my own bias; “because some people think tradition is more important than equality”. I’ve watched businesses, young parents, grandparents all decide what toys are for girls and which for boys. I guess girls don’t grow up to drive cars or build buildings. Perhaps men don’t become Fathers or caregivers. If that is true, it is a waste of time for girls to play with cars or blocks or for boys to like dolls. We tell them they can be ANYTHING when they grow up, yet we limit their play as children. If their future is limitless, why don’t we limit our children less? We teach our kids to be kind to all people. Not to be a

A Mother's Circle of Life Love Song

What does a writer do with strong feelings .....write. A tribute to my Mum. A Mother’s Circle of Life Love Song ~ Sheri Gammon Dewling ~ Good night sweet girl, Mum said as she tucked me in each night. May my loving arms enfold you and protect you from the fright. I know you like to be awake and join in all the fun. Now it’s time for you to sleep. Tomorrow will soon come. Bless your heart, Mum told me as I learned, fell down and grew. May you face each day with kindness and continue to be true. I know the right decision isn’t always plain to know. Now it’s time for you to lead. I’m proud to watch you grow. Good night sweet girl, I told her, as I watched her body fail. May the love of family guide you as your spirit starts to sail. I know you cherished life on earth, where your joy has always played. Now it’s time for you to sleep – no need to be afraid. Bless your heart, I said to her, as she took her last, slow breaths. May your journey of

JustMOMsensations

Search This Blog