In a struggling economy it is important that we stand out to prospective employers. The resume is often the first thing our employer see’s, as well as what the employer looks to when considering applicants after interviews, which is why it is so important for your resume to hit the nail on the head.

Understanding how to create the perfect resume is as simple as putting yourself in your employers shoes. What do they want to see, what do they have time to see and what will they be annoyed with? Once you’ve achieved a good sense of what the employer wants, you are ready to write your resume.

What NOT to Include in Your Resume

There are a lot of myths about what an employer wants to see on a resume, but the sad truth is that less is more. A prospective employer does not want to look at a list of all of your interests in high school, after all you aren’t applying for a golfing buddy position, you’re applying to be an employee. Most employers want someone who is going to make their company look good and earn them money.

Don’t put things that aren’t relevant if it isn’t necessary. For instance, if you are applying for a position in a car manufacturers warehouse, stating that you are environmentally conscious on the qualities section is just plain pointless.

It is also important that you modify your resume for each prospective employer. Printing off a hundred copies of one resume doesn’t work anymore; you have to fit the resume for the company. Certain places may find your experience relevant while others like to see your education.

Don’t include your salary request or references. Most people feel like asking for a certain salary is appropriate, but by doing this you risk judgments by your prospective employer that can blow the job for you. References should be provided upon request, and you can list that on your resume. Listing this on your resume gives the employer a reason to call you in for an interview and gives you another chance to prove yourself.

What YOU SHOULD Include in Your Resume

Always include information that you know is going to help. If you are applying to work with a school, those ten hours of volunteer work you did in college might be helpful. Likewise, if you are applying for a marketing company, mentioning your AP Marketing class in high school is a good idea.

Always include all of your contact information, past experience, and your qualifications. Keep in mind that your qualifications should be different for each position that you are applying for.

You should have a few sections, and the order should depend on the job. Including sections like education, objective, qualifications, experience, and contact information (best if under or next to your name) are most important.

Qualifications are different than experience. Experience lists work experience and previous jobs, while qualifications lists specific reasons you are right for the position you are applying for. Most people add the qualifications to the top of the list, in order to catch their employers eye, but if you aren’t really qualified, leave it for the bottom of the page.

Putting Together an Appealing Resume

The visual aspect is just as important as anything else when it comes to a good resume. You should always make your name the focal point of the resume because when an employer thinks back at who impressed them, your name should come to mind. Making your name in bold type at the top of the page is your best bet.

Don’t leave empty space on your resume. If it looks too empty, you’re employer may wonder why. If you have to widen the margins a tiny bit, but not too much. Keep your descriptions short, simple, and to the point but don’t leave anything empty. Also work on making it professional, a dashed or lined border is great, but don’t put your favorite baseball team’s logo..

Likewise, make sure your information is professional. For instance, your email should be your name and maybe some numbers, but don’t use your personal e-mail for your resume’s, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it doesn’t sound very professional, and can be a turn off.

Comments (0)

Write comment

Name

Comment

smaller | bigger

Add Comment