Most job hunters already know that a resume is a must when it comes to applying for jobs and getting potential employers to take notice, but unfortunately, most resumes are just not up to par. People actively seeking employment often fail to create an effective resume that will impress hiring managers and land interviews.
And yet, in todays vigorous job market, at a time when layoffs are the norm and competition for jobs is cutthroat, its more important than ever that your resume catch the eyes of the recruiter or resume screener, who may spend no more than 30 seconds on each resume during the initial selection process. This is why your resume has to be more than a document listing your various accomplishments and achievements it must be a successful marketing tool.
A poorly constructed resume merely lists the applicants job history, using bullets to state past responsibilities, and entirely neglects to take advantage of marketing techniques that make a resume stand out from the crowd. You might be the hardest-working, most responsible individual around, but if your resume doesn't make that clear, what will distinguish you from everyone else applying for the job, in the eyes of the hiring manager?
To avoid turning in a resume that blandly lists your qualities and work history, you must transform it into an accomplishment-driven piece of writing that clearly emphasizes the importance and relevance of each accomplishment.
It may not be easy to do this, but if you approach the process step-by-step, and use the basic sections of the resume to market your abilities, experience, and potential value to the employer, reworking your resume into a marketing machine is an attainable feat.
Starting From the Top
Arguably the most important part of the resume is the first three quarters of the page. Recruiters and screeners have to wade through stacks of resumes, so they tend to scan the first part of the first page to pare down the pile, initially. If you want to survive the preliminary cut, this section of your resume should be full of accomplishments that market your particular skills and capabilities to the specific employer and position.
Of course, your name and contact information appear in this section as well, but you should also include a professional summary in addition to, as mentioned above, the list of accomplishments.
Professional Summary
A professional summary is considered by many resume experts to be more effective than a stated objective, in todays job market. It works as a sturdy introduction to a strong resume, and proves more powerful in the face of the 30-second scan because it offers the recruiter a snapshot of your most important attributes.
Use the summary as a short ad all about you. Include information in the first sentence or two regarding the type of position youre looking for, and make it clear why you are different or better than the other applicants vying for the same position.
The final three or four sentences should identify your expertise and abilities that apply to the job in question. Make it clear why you can be an asset to the company! Acting as an introduction to the rest of your resume, the statements made in the professional summary need to be reinforced in the sections of the resume that follow.
Accomplishments
The accomplishments you decide to highlight in this section are important because past performance is a good indicator of what you can do for the company, if hired. Mentioning successes you have scored in the past is your best bet to landing an interview.
Just be sure to select 3-6 accomplishments that relate directly to the position you seek and make them quantifiable and measurable provide answers to questions such as how many/much? Which one? What kind? This will add substance to the facts you have stated.
The best way to determine what accomplishments to list here is to think from the perspective of the employer. Recruiters want to know why you could be an asset to the company perhaps you will save them time and money, or provide another favorable result? Highlight accomplishments that draw attention to your past successes in applicable areas of expertise.
The Body
This section of the resume profiles your professional experience. Here you make note of the companies you have worked for in the past, along with your title/position and the dates of employment (in years).
But be wary of falling into the trap of simply listing off your work experience. Even in this section of the resume, its extremely important to avoid compiling an inventory of job duties. Companies are interested in much more than surface achievements or responsibilities they are looking for people who can translate success achieved in past jobs to a future position. Make it clear what you can contribute to the employer.
For instance, if your past role was that of manager, make it clear that this involved leading a team of people and successfully motivating them to complete tasks on budget and on time. If you worked as a cashier or bank teller, note that you were trusted with money and worked well in a customer service capacity. Any awards you won can also be stated in this section just remember to quantify every statement you make!
Education
The final section of the resume lists educational information, as well as anything else that might be considered professional experience, such as continuing education, seminars, and other classes you have taken that are applicable to the job. Here you can also draw attention to any professional organizations and affiliations you belong to, as well as civic duties you perform and volunteer experience you have accumulated over the years, as long as it relates to the position you are attempting to win.
Always list the last degree completed first, without mentioning dates. For those with a college degree, there is no need to mention high school, as this will be assumed.
No one said job hunting was simple, so its important to do as much as possible to get your foot in the door. By using your resume as a powerful marketing tool, it will be much easier to successfully launch your career and snag the dream job you've always wanted.
Looking for a new job, whether it is with a new company or a promotion within your own organisation, requires time and effort. To make your job search more effective you need to take five fundamental steps on the road to success:
* Analysing your skills
* Writing a winning Resume
* Managing your job search
* Coaching for interview success
* Negotiating your job offer
Step 1: Analysing your Skills
The most crucial step in the job search process is to assess what skills you have to offer to your future boss. At an interview you will have to tell your story. An interviewer will not remember your precise details, but they will remember your story, once it is filled with practical examples.
This means that you have to be able to explain the four 'what's' of your job:
* What do you do?
* What skills do you require to successfully carry out your role?
* What have you achieved?
* What benefit did your company get from employing you?
The answers to these questions can be used to draft a one-minute sound bite of the skills that you have to offer to your future boss. This sales pitch should incorporate details about your role, your achievements and your personal qualities and should be tailored to the position you are applying for.
For example, 'experienced Software Engineer who has worked in a multinational telecommunications environment; part of a team that developed an innovative process for a groundbreaking platform; proficient in all aspects of the development life cycle; used a variety of languages particularly C++ and Java; excellent organisational skills combined with a practical and resourceful approach to problem solving'.
Step 2: Writing a Winning Resume
This summary of your skills becomes the cornerstone of your resume. Your resume must be tailored to the needs of your future boss so customise it accordingly.
Here are some guidelines to assist you to write a winning resume:
Aim for a two-page resume - page one should be devoted to how your skills match the position with a emphasis on your recent career details. Page two to your less recent career history, education, training and relevant personal details. Decide on your key selling points. Provide evidence of this experience. Include quantification - reduction in costs, increase in efficiency, improvement in processes, saving in time, etc.
Use simple, jargon free words - if techno speak is required, explain it! Decide on the style after the structure and content have been finalised.
Step 3: Managing your Job Search
The third step to securing your job search success is to manage the process. There are three elements to effectively managing your job search process:
* Controlling channels
* Analysing jobs
* Constructing compelling cover letters
Controlling channels
There are four distinct job search channels. Draw on all four to maximise your success:
1. Contacts - use (in a positive sense!) all of the people that you know, both professionally and personally.
2. Media - this includes newspapers (both national and local) and professional/trade magazines.
3. Agencies - access both online sources and the more traditional recruitment agencies.
4. Direct approach - get in touch with companies that require your skills set.
Analysing jobs
Each job that you apply for is different, so you have to analyse its requirements to ensure a match between you and the role. This entails assessing the job description, the person specification and the environment within which the role operates. Draw up a checklist of the skills required for that job. If you have at least a 60% match, apply!
Constructing compelling cover letters
Your cover letter (typed!) should contain three paragraphs:
* Why you are applying for the job
* How your skills match the requirements of the position
* What outcome you want to achieve (an interview!)
Step 4: Coaching for Interview Success
Your interviewer wants to know two things - can you do the job and will you fit in. Your RESUME prompts the interviewer's questions in relation to 'can you do the job'. These questions revolve around the who, what, when, where, how and why of your current job (the technical details of your job).
The issue of whether you will fit in is crucial to your interview success. You may be technically superb, but if your interviewer believes that you will 'upset the applecart', he/she will not hire you. This means that your interview preparation should also concentrate on the non-technical aspects of your role. For example, how you relate to your colleagues and boss, how you have contributed to your team, how you have resolved potential interpersonal difficulties, etc.
Regardless of whether you are talking about the technical aspects of your job, or the non-technical elements, use real life examples to illustrate your point. Provide a picture in the interviewer's mind of the competent, capable person that you are.
Step 5: Managing your Job Offer
Following a successful interview, build on your success by negotiating an attractive job offer. This involves maximising your remuneration package and ensuring that your contract of employment exceeds the legal minimum.
Know what you own requirements are but make sure that they are in line with the reality of today's labour market. You also need to ensure that all of your referees give you a glowing reference and that they emphasise the skills that you want highlighted.