Below are some helpful hints for
writing your resume.
Summarize your Qualifications.
Summarize your
qualifications by writing a summary paragraph that
highlights your professional background as it
relates to the needs of the company. Hiring managers
need to see immediately that you have the skills and
experience they need. If an employer has to figure out
what you can do for him, the odds are you won't get an
interview.
Over 15 years of diverse and
challenging experience, combined with powerful
presentation skills, a disciplined approach to the task
at hand and the innate ability to anticipate potential
obstacles are attributes that contribute to a strong
record of excellence and acknowledgement for
"getting the job done."
An accomplished senior executive with outstanding
credentials and a proven record of
results……Constantly progressed in an organization
that demands a broad business perspective to achieve
accelerated growth in sales and profits.
Fourteen years experience with a major international
organization on a career path which supported increased
levels of responsibility in the areas of management,
communication and training.
Over 12 years of technical sales and marketing
experience including: electronic component sales
knowledge of Unix, Pascal, Sun work station, Fortran new
software business start-up and market presentation
international marketing penetration.
The Objective
There is much debate
regarding the inclusion/exclusion of a job objective-use
your judgment. It is usually placed right under the
heading. The job objective is a targeted, brief
description of the specific kind of job you are seeking:
legal administrator, bookkeeper, medical transcriber,
diesel mechanic, etc. Avoid vagueness here, if you can't
be specific leave it off the resume. It should be
specific to the point of repeating what the
advertisement/announcement stated. Since you may need a
different resume for each opening you locate, you may
also need to change the job objective. You can always
discuss your objective in the cover letter.
Do not assume that any job
objective is better than no job objective. If your
objective is vague or unfocused, you will appear unable
to decide what you want to do with the next part of your
life. Target it to the specific kind of job you are
seeking, e.g., secretary, bookkeeper, sales
representative, medical transcriber, backhoe operator,
etc.
Example: Position teaching
science and/or math at the secondary school level.
Position within a financial institution requiring strong
analytical and organizational skills. The profile is an
alternative to an objective statement. It gives you the
opportunity to present your strengths at the very
beginning of the résumé.
Example:
Profile Marketing...Finance...Management
Eager to contribute to
the growth of a progressive company with quality
products or services. Qualified by business education,
customer service and administrative experience.
Professional appearance and advanced interpersonal
communication. Highly motivated, strong work ethic;
available as needed for training, travel, overtime, etc.
Financed 80% of college tuition and expenses; additional
20% through scholarships. In writing the major areas of
your résumé, it is important to emphasize your
abilities and accomplishments more than past duties. You
may also want to indicate how well you performed. This
will help infuse personal qualities such as character
and personality into your résumé.
Additional Information
This category is useful for displaying information that
doesn't fit in any other category. Although Interests,
Computer Knowledge, and Activities can be separate
categories, especially if they are very strong, they can
be listed here as well. Languages spoken, or any extra,
relevant bit of information can be placed here as well.
Interests
This is sometimes used to evaluate
your suitability to a geographic area or to understand
your "personality type". Include this section
if you have available space. Include social or civic
activities, health and fitness or sports activities, or
hobbies which indicate how you spend your leisure time.
Computer Knowledge: If using computers is a necessary
skill for the job you are seeking, be sure to highlight
your knowledge in this section.
Example:
Databases: Oracle 8.x,
SQL Server, Sybase
Client/Server: Power Builder 3.x/4.x/5.x/6.x/7.x,
Visual Basic Oracle Skills: SQL, PL/SQL, Replication, Database
Administration, Oracle Web toolkit
Web skills: HTML, XML, Sybase EA Server, Power
Dynamo, Power Site, Jaguar Component Transaction
Server, Oracle Application Server Data modeling: Erwin
Object modeling: Rational Rose, BPWin
Hardware: Sun Workstations Operating Systems: Windows NT,
UNIX Programming Languages: Java, C, C++, Perl
Activities, Honors, and
Leadership are also important categories to include. If
the activities involved work responsibility, note it in
some detail. The employer is interested in the skills
you have developed whether through volunteer or paid
experiences. If you were elected to offices or
committees, mention it. Recognition and demonstration of
leadership roles are valuable.
References
Be sure to ask individuals
if they would be willing to be a reference for you prior
to mentioning their names to prospective employers.
Names of individuals are not usually listed on the résumé
(unless there is space available at the end), but you
should prepare a typed list of three references to
provide at the interview. This list should include name,
title, employer, address, business and home telephone
number. You may also state at the bottom of your résumé
"References furnished upon request."
Power
Words
Employers today want to
know concrete things about you, and what you can produce.
Most résumés today are filled with empty
generalizations, failing to be distinguished in any way
from the crowd of respondents. By beginning sentences with
Action or Power Words, you are showing employers you are
capable of tactical strategic thinking and have proven
results. Here are some Power Words to get you started:
We believe in a commitment to excellence, which encompasses providing maximum value to our clients and maximum potential for our employees. We maintain a tightly woven team of servant-hearted, honest, and loyal seasoned professionals, committed to exceeding expectations. Together, we “know the way” to building a valuable team!