Resume Write & Wrong

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Is Your Resume On Target?

Most resumes get a only a few seconds of attention. That's right. Never mind that it took you eight hours to write it. Within about 20 seconds, if your resume hasn't grabbed attention and excited a hiring officer, you won't get the chance to show 'em what you've got. Let's look at some common mistakes and suggestions for avoiding them that can help you get yourself in the lineup.

Does your resume have one of those vague, noncommittal objectives that reads something like this? Seeking a position that will use my skills and abilities and offer advancement opportunites.

If so, I'd like you to think about that statement for just a minute. - Doesn't every job seeker in the whole world want that? Of course! So, if your objective fits this profile, you have put yourself in a category with the great unimaginative masses.

A person with your talents and abilities surely doesn't belong there. My advice is to drop that silly statement in favor of a bold headline. At the top of the resume, use Administration, or Retail Management, or Banking / Finance, or whatever your field may be. This tactic is clear, strong and professional.

When you write your resume, think about what it is the employer desperately needs, - and be that ideal candidate. Which of your skills sets are most important for the job? What personal traits are needed to do the job well? What specific accomplishments are evidence that you can do the job for this company?

These are the items that should come first in a summary, or be highlighted in your experience. Every bit of information on the resume should be there to convince the employer you are the answer to her prayers.

Leave off unrelated jobs, or, at least, omit irrelevant details.

Avoid redundancy. - If you were in Telephone Sales, do not state that you sold things over the phone. And never repeat a list of job duties under multiple positions.

Do not include explanations about why you left school or a job.

Leave out personal details, interests and activities, - unless they relate directly and strengthen your candidacy for the job.

I can hear you now. Are you kidding me? You won't believe how long it took me to get this resume done and I'll be deuced if I'll do it over!

Relax, I'm not saying you have to do the whole thing over. In fact, if you have already written a comprehensive resume, - that's great! It will serve as your master document. Simply revise, rename and save the file. Using your master file, you can use your basic information to craft effective, targeted resumes.

To recap our steps:

(1) State a clear objective

(2) Put key qualifications at the beginning of the resume

(3) Eliminate all non-essential information.

Make every word on your resume count, and employers will soon be calling to schedule interviews. When you show your aim is true, you'll soon be playing for a winning team.