JOBS RESOURCES
way to do this is to stay actionable in your descriptions. Where appropriate, include percentages and
other numbers that let the reviewer quantify the
results you achieved. For example, instead of “member for Project Y marketing team,” get specific and say
something like “Analyzed market data to determine
design strategy; coordinated 5-member team for
development, authorization and production and
increased sales by 25%.” Doing this is critical because
it shows not just what your responsibilities were in
each position, but also how you set yourself apart
within your roles. Don’t let the descriptions read like
basic overviews of the job titles.
DITCH THE OBJECTIVE.
Employers don’t like objectives because the
statements express what the applicant wants rather
than painting a picture of how the company might
benefit. Instead of an objective, use the first part of
your resume to create a professional profile that summarizes your skills, knowledge and experience. If you
do your job with the profile, the reviewer will know
right away whether you’re a good fit for the company
and will look for more details in the rest of your
document. Again, research is critical here. Truthfully
fine-tune you profile based on what you know the
company needs.
PAY ATTENTION TO YOUR
FORMATTING.
Yes, using a template from Microsoft Word for
your resume is easy and quick. No, it will not help
your resume stand out. Start fresh with a blank document and choose formatting that is both unique and
professional. Keep margins to 1”, avoid fancy fonts
(Times New Roman 12 is best) and stay consistent as
you go through each job. Bullets will conserve space
and let your reviewer get information quickly, but
be careful not to lose clarity in the effort to achieve
brevity. It’s okay to let certain elements such as your
name stand out. Be aware that certain formats might
be more ideal than others depending on the field
in which you are applying. Pick the one that does
the job, not necessarily the one that is common or
popular.
WATCH YOUR WORD CHOICE.
Every single word in your resume has meaning
and connotation. Your goal should be to use a good
balance of industry-specific terminology (this shows
you’re familiar with the ins and outs of your field) and
everyday language anyone can understand.
LG
S
WORRY ABOUT RELEVANCE,
NOT CHRONOLOGY.
Most of the time, reviewers spend less than a minute on each resume. That leaves you very little time
to make a case for yourself. You have to convince the
reviewer you are right for the job in mere seconds,
and you can’t do this if you bury key qualifications
and experience at the end of the resume. Instead of
focusing on your most recent positions, focus on putting the jobs closest to what the company is looking
for first. You can explain the chronology or any gaps
in your work history during your interview.
CONCLUSION
A good resume is your ticket through the door at
any new company. If it doesn’t have the right information presented in a clear, logical way, you won’t gain
access to the position you want. If you are careful
with how you put your resume together, however,
you can catch your reviewer’s eye and get the interview you crave. u
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JANUARY 16 – JANUARY 22, 2015
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