Resumes

Resumes for the Modern Market

The primary reason for a resume is to get an interview; it is NOT meant to be a record of everything you have done in your life.  

That said there are some things to bear in mind when writing a resume.  Our resume is like the cover of a book.  We are the book; the resume represents us.  We want this cover to be as attractive as possible without being misleading (if it’s leather bound with gilt letters, it had better have substance inside).  We want to entice the reader to get to know us, not turn them off with lurid colors and dripping corpses.  (Lime green paper and funky fonts would be the resume equivalent).

The resume of today is focused on the future, rather than on the past. Thus the focus has moved from duties and responsibilities to accomplishments and results.  When a hiring manager looks at our resume, he/she asks, “How can this person solve my business problems?”  If your resume style is attractive and your content solid, you stand a better chance of getting that crucial interview.

A good resume can help you to get your foot in the door; but YOU are the one who lands the job.  You must be prepared to discuss or explain each item included on both your resume and your cover letter; it’s up to you to persuade the interviewer that you truly are the bright, polished professional you appear.

Before our resume is read, it will be scanned, whether by human eyes or by a machine.  The human reader will first scan the top third of the paper and then quickly down the left side.  This is where we want to place the most critical information.  Include a specific objective, concrete highlights and strong action verbs.  You want to catch the reader's attention in the first 7-10 seconds of a 30 second scan.

A machine will look for specific search words (key words).  Be sure that your resume reflects the words used on the job posting.  Use the employer's language rather than your own.  Key words usually reflect specific skills, or experience.

If you are looking for a job in the international market, be sure to request resume and cover letter requirements before you submit a resume.  For instance, when additional documentation is required, your existing resume may still serve the purpose.  Treat it as an executive summary and attach the additional documentation.  This is also true for those in the medical, legal and educational professions who may have extensive specialties, organizations, research or publications to list.

The word curriculum vitae traditionally referred to a document which began with personal data and listed information such as experience, publications, classes given or taken, presentations given, awards received, positions and titles, community and professional activities, and degrees received.  More and more, it is simply your existing resume expanded to reflect additional specific requested information.  It is, in a sense, a career summary, with the emphasis on summary.  Before you submit your resume for any international, educational, biotech, medical or legal position, be sure to verify that you are supplying the expected information.

Job applicants often undersell themselves on both their resume and their cover letter.  Everything you have done in life has contributed to build your skills, your knowledge, YOU.  YOU are the product you are selling; don’t be shy, go for it!

Resume Structure

Header

Every resume should start with your name, location, phone number and email number.

Some people now leave off their street address due to identity theft concerns.  If this is a concern for you, you may wish to use a P.O. Box instead.

Be sure to verify that you have given an accurate phone number and email address, how else will a potential employer contact you?  If you do not currently have an email address, make this a priority in your job search.  You can sign up for free email accounts with various services such as Hotmail.com and Yahoo.com.

Objective

If your objective is not specific, leave it off.  A specific objective will give the reader an idea of your focus.  This can keep your resume from being tossed in the circular file.  A non-specific objective just takes up space on your paper without imparting any useful information to the reader.  Example:

"Objective: Seeking a challenging position in the field of communications where I can utilize my skills & background in professional marketing".  

Not so good.

It's understood these days that you are seeking a challenging position.  Everyone is.  Or at least will say that they are.  

 

The field of communications is large.  What aspect of communications?  Web design? Wireless technology?  Journalism?  Radio?  Television?

 

Utilize is not technically a word.  Some people will catch you on that one.  

 

Professional marketing?  Were you an account representative?  An administrative assistant?  A program director?

Instead, let's try,

"Objective: Account representative for XYZ radio station".

Short, sweet, and to the point.

Or even better yet, try including something which helps the employer understand what you can do for them.

"Objective: Account representative in radio or television, with a proven track record in increasing sales and market share.

Summary

Now, let's look at the Summary (or Qualifications, Highlights of Qualifications, Highlights, Summary of Qualifications, Selected Achievements, Core Competencies or Strengths; whatever you choose to call it, it’s a profile of you and your accomplishments). 

These should be 4-6 (no more) bullet points highlighting specific accomplishments of your career which are pertinent to the position for which you are applying.  Express these accomplishments in terms of dollars saved, time saved, percent improved, $ under budget, etc. ( $, #, %).  Classes, certificates, associations, articles, or patents should be listed here IF pertinent to the position for which you are applying.  Include personality traits ONLY if pertinent to the position and if mentioned in the job posting. It may be helpful to do the Skills ID exercise before completing this section.

Example:

• Proven ability to increase market share, using unique and creative marketing techniques. 

• Solid networking database.

• Success at involving support staff and co-workers in team approach to sales and customer support.

• Reputation for ethical sales methods.

• Professional, confident and articulate with highly developed persuasive presentation skills.

Nice, but where are your results?  Let's try again.

• Proven ability to increase market share from 20 to 40%, using unique and creative marketing techniques.

• Solid networking database reflecting over 14 years experience in the field of radio communications.

• Success at involving support staff and co-workers in team approach to sales and customer support resulting in increased customer satisfaction.

• Reputation for ethical sales methods.

• Professional, confident and articulate with highly developed persuasive presentation skills, resulting in 80% sales capture.

Much better.

Profile

The profile is a trend in resume writing that is becoming quite popular.  It blends the information in both your objective and your highlight sections, eliminating the need for either.  Instead these two sections are now replaced with one section which includes the information from both.  This may take the form of a single short paragraph, a paragraph with a listing of skills beneath or 3 short paragraphs.  There are numerous variations.  Often one or several job titles are given at the beginning.

One example of a resume profile is given below:

Motivational Speaker                                 Author/Writer                                    Personal Coach

 

Nationally recognized presenter with speeches given to audiences ranging in size from 10 to 2,500, on topics including the impact of change on human systems, staying flexible under stress and finding joy in times of transition.  Member National Speakers Association.

 

Acclaimed by both business and self-development experts for 1999 book, Joy and Grief, Balancing the Seesaw.

 

Successful Life Coach with over 17 years experience working in one-on-one coaching relationships.  Member International Coach Federation.

 

Perhaps you wish to use a different profile style.  You may wish to begin:

                         Senior Project Manager, Wireless Telecommunications

 

                 Systems Implementation / WAP Technology / Test Engineering

Follow this introduction with career and skill highlights.

Body of Resume

Now will come either a Skills Summary or a Work History Summary (also known as Professional Experience) depending on the Resume Format you choose to use.  Again highlight your skills with concrete examples (Skills Identification).  Start each bullet point with a strong action verb (Verb List).

There are three main types of resume formats (see Resume Formats page for examples and more information):

• Chronological

• Functional

• Combination or Hybrid

Regardless of the format you choose to use, highlight your skills with concrete examples (go back to the Skills Identification exercise).  Start each bullet point with a strong action verb (refer to the Action Verb List – Appendix A). These verbs should convey a sense of accomplishment.

A basic Chronological Resume’s section headings may look like this: Objective, Summary, Work History, Education.

A basic Functional Resume’s section headings may look like this: Objective, Summary, Skills, Education.

A basic Chronological Resume’s section headings may look like this: Objective, Summary, Skills, Work History, Education.

Education

Your education will generally be listed last on your resume, unless it is critical to the position for which you are applying.  This section could be called Education, Education and Training, or Education and Professional Development amongst other titles.  Include all of your degrees, certifications, and ongoing education. (You may also choose to use separate sections for each).

Comments

As well as the three format types given above, there are numerous variations and hybrids possible.  Adapt the format to best reflect YOU.

In addition to the sections discussed above, you may wish to include sections for Technical Skills, Special Skills, Certifications, Continuing Education, Language Skills, Publications, Patents, Honors and Awards, Professional Career Development, Professional Affiliations, Memberships and Affiliations, Organizations, Community Involvement, Public Speaking, or Additional Experience.  Include those items that are most pertinent to the position you are applying for and which best illustrate your skills and abilities.  You may need to include Personal Information on a CV.

In general, your entire resume should be 1 to 2 pages in length (no more than two).  For some academics, educators, and scientists, in addition to the 1-2 page resume, you will need a complete curriculum vitae listing all of your important inventions, patents, and published papers.  This document should be available upon request.  Be sure to take a copy with you to an interview to present at that time.

Leave off the sentence "References available on request".  This is understood.  Have your references ready to be sent when requested.  If the employer is interested in hiring you, they will request your references.  Generally it's a good policy to have 7 to 10 references you can choose from with 3 to 4 to be submitted for a specific posting.  Most employers have time to check only two to four references.  It's courtesy to give them 3 to 4, however, more than that will often just be confusing and may even prove detrimental (after all, do you KNOW specifically what each of these references will say about you?).  You'll have a better idea of which 3 to 4 references to provide for a specific posting after the first interview.  It's up to you whether you choose to take your references with you to the interview or send them immediately following the request.  Both are acceptable.

Before you submit your resume, be sure to use your computer’s spell check and grammar check functions.  Ask a friend to review to catch mistakes you’ve missed.

Check out the Resume Tips section for some further resume help.  And don't forget your Cover Letter.  A good cover letter can be as critical to your success as a good resume.

Do follow up on your resume.  If you can call yourself to someone's attention in more than one way (i.e. phone calls, referrals, etc.) you are that much more likely to get a job.

You are your own greatest asset.  Many people tend to undersell themselves on a resume.  This is not the time to be shy.  You are selling yourself, your abilities and skills.  Go for it!