Tips for Writing a Professional Resume
Your resume is the gateway to getting an interview for a job, so you should make certain that your resume catches the eye of the potential employer, and is placed at the top of the contact list. With so many resumes being submitted, something has to stand out.
Do not assume that this means to use vibrant coloured paper, as this is a major faux pas. Your resume should be created to look as professional as possible.
Creating a professional looking resume is the most surefire method of getting noticed by prospective employers. A professional looking resume is simple enough to create, as long as you learn the proper things to include, and those items that should be left off of a resume.
As you begin to write your resume, think about what you know (work or educational experience), things that you have accomplished (prior work experience), career objectives (where do you see yourself down the road), and how you can benefit the employer.
A resume will only be briefly scanned at first, so it needs to be noticed. Upon further examination, the substance must be top notch. Resumes need to boldly tell the employer that you are the only person adequately qualified for a given position.
Polishing up your resume writing skills so that you create a professional looking resume is simple. The first thing that you need to do is to figure out which style of resume is best to use for the particular job that you are applying for. The different types of resumes include; functional (focuses on accomplishments, skills, and talents), skill-based (what you can bring as an asset based on past experiences), chronological (things listed in order, such as education and work experience), and technical (highlights your education, training, and computer efficiency).
Once you have decided upon the resume style that you think is best, make sure to keep your resume as brief and succinct as possible. Keeping it simple will help, since the employer will more likely finish reading it, rather than just tossing it into the trash. Do not clutter up your resume with things that do not belong, just be concise and to the point.
Make sure that all information included is factual, although an embellishment or two may help, so long as they are truthful. Making an accomplishment sound a little more impressive is the job of well chosen words.
A professional resume is typed on regular paper, without fancy fonts, bold lettering, or italicized words. All of your relevant contact information should be listed at the top, from your name and address to your phone number (cell included), and email address. Throughout your resume, you should accentuate all of your positive attributes, and never mention any items that may sell you short.
Do not dwell on lack of experience in a given field, as this will make it easy to bypass your resume, rather focus on what you can bring to the position that will be an effective asset.
Your resume should be tailored for each different job that you apply. Find out exactly what is expected from that position, and tweak your resume so that you are augmenting your skills in certain key disciplines.
Proofread your resume to ensure that there are no grammatical errors, and that it is free of spelling mistakes. Throughout the body of your resume, use strong action words, such as changed, implemented, developed, initiated, designed, achieved, and demonstrated. Filter your accomplishments throughout, and focus on how they helped in the past.
Keep objectives at the forefront, and acknowledge how you are constantly striving to do more, anything that can help. You have no boundaries, and are willing to do whatever it takes to be successful at your job.
Do not include personal and identifying information such as age, height, weight, gender, religious beliefs, political affiliations, sexual preferences, health problems, or a picture of yourself. The employer needs to be focused on what you can bring to the company based on your educational background, work experience, and accomplishments.
Do not set yourself up for failure by including too much personal information that may fall into biased hands. It is unfortunate, but bias does exist, so steer clear of indemnifying information.
Your resume should also include your career objectives, and the means by which you are preparing to meet those objectives. Creating a professional resume takes some time, and a few tweaks here and there, as necessary. Once your resume is well polished, it is time to take it out on the town so that it can be seen
