Best Tips for Resume Writing
Most applicants will make certain that they hold the necessary degrees or certificates to apply for an announced position. Resumes that showcase knowledge about the company and the job being filled make the writer shine. They state what the applicant can do for the employer, not the other way around. They demonstrate resourcefulness and keen interest in the company.
Writing such a resume is not as difficult as it may sound. It does require research, thoughtful organization and attention to detail.
Organize your work history documents
It is best to keep all of your work related documents in one place. Also keep any papers from your education and certification there, in separate folders. This will make the task of resume writing much easier.
Store resume components on your computer
This is the key to efficiently creating a unique and targeted resume. Create a separate document for each part of the resume. Store these in your resume folder on your computer. You want separate documents for your contact information, statement of qualifications, work history, and education.
Contact information
This goes at the top of the resume. Include your name, address, telephone and cell phone numbers, and email. If your current employer is aware of your job search, you might include your work phone. Otherwise, it is best not to do so.
Statement of qualifications
Read the employee evaluations you have received and any awards to glean ideas for this section. The statement of qualifications has no heading. It is a bulleted list of statements that appears directly under your contact information. This is your advertisement. Use this to demonstrate what you can do for the company. This is the main part of the resume that will change.
For each accomplishment, write a statement of qualifications that shows how you have used your skills to benefit your employer. Quantifiable statements are the most powerful, but don’t overlook those that can’t be quantified but show unique skills and initiative.
Examples:
Conducted 2008 employee survey that revealed support strategies and resulted in 10 percent reduction in absenteeism in 2009” is a far more powerful statement than “works well with all levels of staff.”
Instead of saying “Excellent oral and written communication skills,” demonstrate those skills with a statement like “Interviewed staff to determine best practices and wrote employee manual that is currently used statewide.”
Your task will be easier if you habitually write qualifications statements every time you are cited for an accomplishment. Be sure to note when and where you did these things. Don’t rely on memory. It’s fickle.
Work history
Under the bold heading of Work History, list positions you have held. Start each with the job title, then the name and location of the company, followed by start and end dates. Don’t go back more than ten years in your work history.
Education
Type the bold heading Education. Under this, list significant education such as degrees. Begin with the degree or certificate, then the name and location of the institution. If the degree or certificate is more than ten years old, do not include the date. If you hold higher education, do not cite high school. Don’t forget to include significant on the job training.
Research the company
Once you have the basic information at hand, research the company. You need to know precisely what products and services the corporation provides, the size and something of the history, the CEO, and as much as you can find out about the unique workplace culture.
Go to the company’s website. This will provide accurate and current information from the company’s point of view. Also check the library. The research librarian can point out publications and articles regarding any local company. Next, talk to some people who work there. Find out what they most appreciate about their work place, and what sort of atmosphere prevails: strictly business, or more casual. They can also tell you how employees are expected to dress for the job, and any unique aspects of this particular company.
Carefully read the job announcement. What skills and qualities are being sought for this position? How can you best demonstrate that you are the person most qualified? Note keywords and phrases to incorporate into the writing of your qualifications statements.
These keywords and phrases are becoming essential to the successful job applicant. Eighty percent of resumes are now scanned for keywords before anyone reads them. Those that do not have these words are discarded. It won’t help to write a powerful statement that does not get read.
Write your resume
At the top, plug in your contact information.
The statement of qualifications is the most important part of the resume to modify for each job. You want a bulleted statement for each skill and each quality being sought. Using what you have learned about the company, and incorporating those all important keywords, write your statement of qualifications. Demonstrate what you can do for this employer.
Add your work history and education. Do not list references on your resume. Prepare a separate page on which you place these, and have it ready to give to the employer during the interview. Be sure to head this page with your contact information as well.
Print the resume and check it for attractive format. It needs to be easy to read, printed in a clean font in black ink on white, good quality paper. It is not necessary or desirable to use heavy paper. The employer is concerned with the content of the resume and the ease of reading, not with your investment in special paper.
Proof read for accuracy and spelling. Have at least two other people proof read. It is easy to miss spelling errors in your own writing, no matter how many times you read it. Choose very picky people for this task.
Write a cover letter
Each resume you send should be accompanied by a cover letter. This is your opportunity to let the employer know that you are interested enough in this job to do the research. The cover letter should be on one page long and have three paragraphs.
The first paragraph should state why you want to work for this particular company. What have you learned that has created a positive impression?
In the second paragraph, briefly summarize what you have said in your resume. State why you are uniquely qualified to excel in this position.
The third paragraph should say that you look forward to the opportunity to present your qualifications in an interview.
Print the cover letter on the same type of paper used for your resume. Use the same font and ink. Place them together in a matching, business size envelope. Check the address for spelling and typographical errors.
Electronic submissions
These are quickly becoming the norm in the business world. Find out how the employer wants to receive applicants’ resumes, and follow these instructions exactly.
Before sending the resume and cover letter electronically, check to make sure the formatting survives transfer from your computer to another. This can be done by sending it to friends and asking them to check the appearance for you. Rich Text usually is a reliable format for this.
