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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.
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