Basics Of A Good Resume

STYLE

Energize the first half of the first page of your résumé. You only have a few seconds to capture the attention of the reader. Summarize your value early on the page with relevant competencies, skills, abilities and key qualifications. It entices the reader to investigate further is your summary is inviting.

Focus, Focus, Focus… Write your résumé to match the requirements of the job description or the specifics of the job you’re seeking. Eliminate hobbies, political persuasions. Don’t list your age, include a photograph, marital status, etc. A generalized résumé, a cluttered résumé are a weak résumés.

WRITING

Action Words:

Use present tense verbs when referring to a current job. Use past tense verbs when referring to past activities.
Write in a strong active voice. Begin each bullet statement with an action word. Passive verbs make for a weak résumé.

Fragments… Résumés do not always require complete sentences. Fragments are okay if the meaning is clear and you are consistent with your writing throughout.

Contractions… Avoid “can’t,” “don’t,” “won’t,” etc.

Big Words… Be concise and clear in your descriptions. Don’t use unusually big words.

Fluff and redundancies… Readers recognize when a candidate is padding the résumé with excessive wording and responsibilities, a sure disqualifier.

Write in the 1st person… A résumé is almost always written in the “implied” 1^st person. Meaning, DO NOT use “I” or “my.” Avoid the 3rd person point of view.

How long should a résumé be?

Short is better. Keep the résumé between one and three pages. Most can be written in two or less. If writing as a recent graduate, one page is normally enough.

Displaying text… It can be in Block Text or Bullets or a combination of both.

Block Text… Paragraphs must be short, not exceeding over 5 or 6 lines.
Bullets… These are easier to read than paragraphs. Try to always start a bullet with an action verb/word. Try never to exceed more than five or six bullets in a section. Technical sections will probably be the exception here and need more.
Write concisely but give enough information to create interest and get invited to an interview.

HEADING SECTIONS

Title Statement… This replaces the objective heading. Objective headings are almost obsolete since simply stating the title of the job seeking is stronger. Simply state the title of the Job Seeking according to the title on the job description.

Summary of Qualifications … This heading is an outline of what’s to come in the rest of the résumé. Number of years of experience, Technical/Computer Skills, Expertise, Strengths, Specializations, Advanced Degrees or Certifications or licenses are just a few ingredients of this heading.

Accomplishments or achievements, are basically the same. Résumé Desk chooses to use accomplishments as the heading. There is nothing on your résumé more important than your accomplishments. It’s what separates you from other similarly qualified candidates. It’s what employers are looking for.

Here are some examples:

Improving the bottom line (i.e. facilitating its growth)

Increasing market share
Improving operating costs
Streamlining procedures
Innovation, events, results that improve the company’s position

Here are examples of what tell an employer you are accomplishment minded:

Significant Promotions
Special projects successfully completed
Relevant awards
Certifications and Licensure

Word of caution for the seriously experienced candidate. It’s another way of saying the mature candidate. If you have an extensive career history, make sure you limit your accomplishments to recent years/events. It’s recommended you don’t go back more than 10 years or more.

Education Section… Place the Education Section near the top if you are a recent graduate or it’s a one of your strongest selling points that match a job description requirement. Otherwise place it at after work experience.

No Degree… Not including an Education section is often better than showing a weak Education section.

High School… Unless you are 17 to 19, don’t show High School credentials.

Use a combination of block text and bullets for your writing. By using one or the other exclusively is boring, hard to read and not advised.

GOOD IDEAS

Be Positive… Write positively about the people you’ve worked with and the jobs you’ve held.”