An Effective Resume
In this article I will discuss how to write an effective resume and provide you with a template for a comprehensive, yet concise, resume that will highlight your strengths and increase your chances of landing the job.
Please note: if you are looking for more information on formatting a resume, please see my previous article "How to Format a Resume".
Many people do not know how to write an effective resume and therefore settle for a lackluster one. This can lead them to be screened out before they even have the chance at an interview. It is therefore imperative that you do not let this happen.
There are some simple steps you can take to avoid having an ineffective resume, and these steps apply across the board for any kind of job search.
Let's begin:
1. Write a list of 3-5 accomplishments from your resume that demonstrate your skills, strengths and achievements that are specific to the job being sought. These should be highlighted by a tag line or subtitle that clearly states what they are (examples: "Highly Independent", "Efficient Team Player", "Outstanding Customer Service Record").
2. Your resume needs to be at least one page long. If you have more expertise or experience, then write a second page but do not exceed three pages.
3. Use a font that is easy to read and bold (if necessary). Don't use too much type size or it will be hard for the reader to pick out your text from the body of the document.
4. Use headings that are clear and concise in your resume; these should be as large as possible (but not simply huge). The main heading should be bolded, with smaller subheadings underneath it emphasizing major accomplishments. The other headings can remain lower case if appropriate.
5. Don't use any present tense verbs in your resume. If you have used a verb that has been in the past tense, then it is time to change it. If a past tense verb no longer applies to the position you are applying for, then it is time to change it. Examples of such verbs include: "developed", "organized", "facilitated".
6. Use action verbs (verbs such as: "developed", "created") instead of passive ones (such as: "was developed"). Passive verbs make your resume sound dull and uninteresting and are taken right out of date by prospective employers' reading and evaluating skills.
7. Highlight your accomplishments and achievements. If you have multiple accomplishments, list them in the order that they would be presented to the employer reading your resume.
8. Include a personal statement that highlights what makes you an effective individual and why you are qualified for the position.
9. Ensure that the most important portion of your resume is highlighted by using headers and bold font to make it stand out in the reader's eye. Take out any clutter from your resume (such as extraneous information) and instead include what is most important to show how qualified you are for the position being sought. Make sure you mention all of your skills, achievements, job related experience etc.
10. Check your spelling and grammar. Hiring authorities do not appreciate sloppy resumes, as it shows that you are careless and wordy.
11. Do not use weak language (such as: "responsible for", "participated in") to describe what you did on your previous jobs. Instead, use the strongest language available to convey your message in the most effective manner possible (examples: "contributed to", "led").
12. Don't include any information that is not applicable to the position sought.
13. Don't include hobbies, interests and outside activities that do not pertain to the position sought.
14. Have someone else read your resume to check for errors and grammar mistakes. Also, have them read it through without looking at you or any particular job specification so that you can see how it is perceived when viewed as a random document with no context of the job market or company being applied to.
15. Include your contact information (mailing address, e-mail address, and phone number). Do not forget your references (make sure you indicate if they are personal or professional references; this may be stated in the job advertisement).
16. Once you are done with your resume, print in out on high quality paper and take it to the copy center to make duplicates of it. You should have a hard copy and an electronic version; never post or send your resume via e-mail. Doing this is a quick way to show that you are unprofessional and lazy, not the qualities an employer is looking for. Also, "cut and paste" resumes through e-mailed job posts is a huge no-no; do not ever use this tactic no matter what the circumstances may be.
17. Before you submit your resume, make sure that you have checked it for all grammar mistakes, typos and inaccuracies.
18. Once you submit your resume, follow up with a phone call to ensure that they received it. This will show that you are proactive in your job search and will greatly increase your chances of being interviewed. If a second interview is needed, follow up with another phone call prior to the interview to confirm this as well; this shows forward thinking and organizational skills (both traits desired in employees).
19. If applicable, include a reference sheet that identifies your accomplishments / achievements for each of the jobs held previously. It should be a separate document and should also be kept in a separate folder that is clearly marked with "Reference Sheet" on the front.
20. If applicable, include a copy of your resume for each job held previously. This should also be in the "Reference Sheet" folder (either as a hard copy or an electronic document). The more information you can provide to businesses about how you have handled previous jobs, the better your chances will be for an interview and also for getting an offer of employment.
Conclusion
When writing a resume, there are certain things that you should always keep in mind. These include:
1. be honest about your qualifications and work history;
2. try to make it reader-friendly (clearly written and easy to read);
3. use strong language to describe what you did on previous jobs;
4. use action verbs to describe what you did on previous jobs (do not use passive ones); and, finally;