It’s no secret that your resume is an essential sales tool. Every recruiter, hiring manager and decision maker will request a copy of your resume at some point. When making a resume that earns results, there are a few important tips to remember.
Tip #1: Only include relevant content. When making a resume, approach it from the perspective that every word needs to serve a purpose. That purpose is dictated by the position you are competing for. What education is required? Which of your skills must be emphasized? Are additional certifications or special talents requested? Your resume needs to highlight your relevant skills, education and strengths required to successfully perform the duties of THIS position. (Notice specific emphasis on “this”.) Undoubtedly you have additional strengths, yet as much as you want to show off your additional abilities, keep your content relevant.
Tip #2: Every job seeker has three types of skills. These skills include personal, transferable and job related. When making a resume, only transferable and job related skills need to be highlighted. There is no purpose to including your personal skills. These skills include those characteristics innate to you such as being dependable, honest and ethical. Anyone can claim these traits and because you have minimal space (1-2 pages) on your resume, you want to add skills that are verifiable and proven. For example, a potential employer can verify your job title, dates of employment, and sales growth or customer service satisfaction ratings. It is much more difficult to verify your reliability. Leave personal skills off of your resume. Instead, have others speak to them through letters of recommendation and testimonials.
Tip #3: When making a resume that earns results, make your content clear and easy to understand. Depending on your experience and employment history, you may find yourself adding certifications, training and other information. Be careful not to use abbreviations and industry jargon. Many human resource professionals are not up to speed with industry terminology and you want to eliminate the risk of generating questions about your candidacy. Write your content in a fashion that takes the guesswork out of your certifications, training and skills for maximum effectiveness.
Making a resume requires thought and purpose. After you draft it, have someone else read it to provide you with feedback. Identify what needs clarification and what may not read well. Make sure it is properly suited to the functions listed in the job description.
Sean McCaffrey is a dynamic employment coach. Check out this site for additional information on writing good cover letters, resume tips, successful interviewing methods, and other tips for successfully gaining employment.
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