Job seekers often agonize over how to create a resume that will gain attention.  

The first thing to think about is who is receiving the resume? Employers primarily read resumes when they have a need to hire to fill a specific position. Does your resume address the needs of the employer?

Luckily, with everyone having computers, it is very easy to develop resumes that can address different job opportunities by highlighting different skills or experiences to address an employers needs.  Today, it is imperative that a resume be designed for each open opportunity. (As a sales person, you don't give one pitch to all clients! The same is true for a resume!) We encourage job seekers to keep an ongoing file of 'wins' so that when developing a resume for a specific job, the information is already at your fingertips. 

Keep in mind, a resume can not get someone a job, but can only get an open door to begin conversations about a particular position. Resumes should not read like a novel, but be a snapshot of why you are a match for a particular position. One resume can not be all things to all jobs!

We are all about helping you build a winning resume to gain you opportunities to present yourself in person for job openings for which you are interested and qualified.

TIPS

1. Don’t forget the vitals – name, phone (where you can best be reached), email and one address
2. A resume can not get you a job, it can only get your foot in the door
3. KISS – readers skim, the average time is 5-7 seconds – keep it simple but full of impact – drop unnecessary words
4. Lose the ‘references upon request’ too trite and a waste of space
5. An objective? Not my favorite, it should be personalized to a job and handled in a cover email or letter
6. No fancy fonts or formatting, don’t even include ‘Page 2’ as they often end up in the middle of the page
7. Never in first or third person (I or he)
8. Tell a story in order of occurrence – most recent at top
9. If you have several positions that are similar but at different companies, definitely choose a ‘functional’ vs. a ‘chronological’ format
10. Consider leaving off graduation dates – could show you are too young or too old

Click below for three different examples of types of resume samples to help you with your resume development.

They are:
1. Chronological
2. Functional
3. Fun-ological™