There is no universal resume format. There are only guidelines you should follow, and the resume sample shown is intended for that purpose.
Present your job objective in a manner that relates both to the company and the job description.
Final hiring decisions are rarely base upon resume alone; however the resume should be concise, factual and positive listing of your education, employment history and accomplishment.
Test your resume for relevancy. The information included in your resume should either support your job or career objective directly or support your character in general. If you have no definite purpose for including something, just leave it out.
Be conscious of the continuity of your history. The reader will be looking for reason to eliminate as many resumes as possible. Resumes with gaps of unaccountable time often reach the circular file.
Weigh your choice of words. Select strong actions verbs, concrete nouns and positive modifiers for emphasis (see below). Use concise phrases and clauses rather than complete sentences.
Try your resume out on someone who knows you and who will be objective in his or her opinion.
Keep a separate list of references and made them available only upon request.
Your resume is only a door opener. You want aninterview.
Additionally Your Interviewer Will Ask For Questions of Your Resume…Make Sure You Have the Answers!*
Answering the following four questions in a fully persuasive way will greatly increase your odds of developing a winning resume. The questions are the crucial elements of the resume formula. Answering them will not only give you the material you need for building a strong resume, but will also prepare you for networking and interviewing. Use the sample resume below as a point of reference.
1. What do you want? That’s your Objective. Don’t struggle or agonize over this. Prospective employers want and need a simple, specific answer. Managers and human resources people need to know how to route your resume. If your objective is too vague, they’ll just scrap it. Change your objective for different markets if you have to.
2. Why are you qualified to do it? That’s the Summary section. Answer succinctly why you’re qualified to accomplish your objective. Ask yourself: why they should hire me? (You will need to get ready for that one at the interview anyway!) Summarize the answer in easy-to-read bullet points. These points become your Summary. This section should satisfy your audience that the rest of your resume is worth reading, bringing them to the next question.
3. Where have you done it? That’s the Experience Section. The reader needs to relate to the experience you’ve had. Identify the company in its most relevant light. If it’s not a recognizable company, write a line about it high points. Build it up. On the resume, the reader will often equate your value with that of your employer. Describe only the parts of your job that help sell you and showcase your value.
4. How Well Have You Done It? That’s the Achievement Section. This is where you should put in your most thought and effort. Think about what you did for each employer to make that company better. It could be a big thing or something small. But it should be enough to show value. Did you have an idea which was implemented and has saved the company money? Were you promoted several times due to your contributions? Were you given positive reviews, and why? Were you selected for a key program or training? Bullet these points separately from, and after, your job description. These points show your worth.
ACTION VERBS
accelerated
demonstrated
initiated
performed
scheduled
accomplished
designed
instructed
planned
simplified
achieved
directed
interpreted
pinpointed
set up
adapted
effected
improved
programmed
solved
administered
eliminated
launched
proposed
structured
analyzed
established
led
proved
streamlined
approved
evaluated
lectured
provided
supervised
coordinated
expanded
maintained
proficient in
supported
conceived
expedited
managed
recommended
taught
conducted
facilitated
mastered
reduced
trained
completed
found
motivated
reinforced
translated
controlled
generated
operated
reorganized
utilized
created
increased
originated
revamped
won
delegated
influenced
organized
revised
developed
implemented
participated
reviewed
CONCRETE NOUNS AND POSITVE MODIFIERS
ability
competent
effectiveness
qualified
technical
actively
competence
pertinent
resourceful
versatile
capacity
consistent
proficient
substantially
vigorous
Good luck!
Jeff Altman
Concepts in Staffing
jeffaltman@cisny.com
© 2004 all rights reserved.
