Your resume is often the first thing an employer sees when you apply for a job—it serves as an introduction to you and your job history. There’s no second chance to make a first impression, so it’s vital to make sure that your resume is well-written, properly formatted and that it effectively communicates your professional background.
While different employers may have specific criteria in mind when examining a resume, they all expect to see a clean, polished document that will paint a precise picture of your work history. Padding a resume with frivolous information— or worse, false information—is often immediately apparent to experienced employers and can result in instant disqualification. It is always best to present your history concisely and truthfully.
Just as an ineffective resume can hinder your chances of employment, an excellent resume can get your foot in the door. Even if your job skills don’t exactly match what an employer is seeking, a good resume can often win you an interview, where you will have the chance to personally impress those who are hiring and to promote the skills that do qualify you for the position.
While the resume serves to educate employers about your skills and job history, it can perform a much more important function: a well-written resume will generate interest about you as a qualified candidate. Including an objective and skills summary before listing your work history and education can be an extremely effective way to accomplish this goal. Some prefer to eliminate these preliminary sections, and that is certainly acceptable, but highlighting your intentions and strengths is an excellent way to promote yourself and to garner the attention of the person who is reading your resume.
Follow these guidelines for a powerful resume that is sure to impress prospective employers:
- Review samples—you can find many examples of successful resumes online. See which types of resumes appeal to you and take note of the ones that are the most impressive.
- Make an impact with your resume title— ”Seeking Sales Position” is not nearly as effective as “Top-Ranked Sales Rep—10+ Years of Experience.”
- If you use an objective, focus on what the employer needs—be concise, include a specific goal and reference the position for which you are applying.
- Write a powerful career summary—a career summary can be used in conjunction with or in place of an objective. An excellent summary will include your resume title, key professional accomplishments, relevant abilities and a list of your areas of expertise
- Be honest about your work experience and education—a straightforward and truthful resume is the best option. A “padded” resume is often very obvious to employers.
- Think marketing—write your resume as though you are advertising your skills and history, not simply recounting the facts. A resume that is infused with enthusiasm is much more interesting than a dry list of skills and experience.
- Use “action” words—the power of language is your greatest tool. Words that denote action and success, such as “accelerated,” “pinpointed” and “revitalized” paint a strong picture for employers. Search the Internet for comprehensive action word lists.
