Lucas Beaumont
First and foremost, it is necessary to decide if a formal resume is required for the particular job or position. Sometimes the requirement specifies a document known as a qualifications brief.
However, if a resume is called for it’s best to work from a few basic tips. These include:
• Begin with a clearly stated objective or focus on the specific job title. Begin your resume by showing you know what you are looking for. Don’t use a generic, one-size-fits-all objective statement. Remember, focus on the industry and job at hand.
• Make sure that your resume contains only the necessary information. Personnel managers and business owners don’t want to wade through pages of unnecessary detail.
• Be sure the resume is clean and well presented. Short paragraphs and bullet points may work just fine. List your qualifications and don’t crowd the pages with a lot of print.
• Correct grammar and spelling are absolutely crucial! Poor word selection and poor spelling will send your resume to the “No” stack quickly.
One of the keys to a successful resume is the choice of words. You should show confidence and organization without overpowering the reader. Focused and determined are the characteristics you want to indicate.
What is a Resume For?
It’s important to understand just why you are submitting a resume. Most counselors and job-hunting services emphasize this: A resume is meant to get you to the next step in the job-seeking process. The resume is intended to get you to the interview with the right person. This is not a job application!
When you are working on your past experience and qualifications, start with the most recent and provide detail on the most recent few. The jobs you held 20 or 30 years ago may not be quite as crucial as those that you have held recently. It is also important to make sure that you make connections between your work experience and the position you are seeking.
Include relevant volunteer experience. If you haven’t worked recently, the way you put your resume together will be slightly different. Remember that if you have recently graduated from a university you should probably focus on your educational background, with a focus on relevant studies and experience.
The actual construction of the resume should follow high-quality, successful examples. There are some good resume-writing guides and many universities have resume guidelines that will work. Make sure that the resume shows you understand the industry or business that you may be working in. Be an informed applicant.
General guidelines that show up in every resume book or manual include honesty and professional presentation. But it is not a good idea to overpower the personnel manager with the idea that you are a perfect candidate for the position. In resumes, less is often best.
There are several styles in the resume world, including the traditional, chronological outline. But you may also focus on skills or function, depending on what type of job or position is under consideration. In recent years, some professionals have used video resumes with success. However, these must be produced with great care and quality.
Last but not least, a good resume can fit on one page. A second page may sometimes be necessary. You should be able to tell your story without using several pages. Good luck!
