Résumé writing is sales! You are the product. Well-written resumes are successful marketing tools that attract the attention of potential employers by commu-nicating your value to them. They include specific accomplishments or success stories that demonstrate your contributions in similar situations in the past.
Do’s
- Do present yourself accurately and positively.
- Include only enough information to encourage the employer to find out more about you.
- Use action verbs to describe your contributions. Examples: “created,” “directed,” “established,” “negotiated,” and so on.
- Stress specific accomplishments and quantify the outcomes. Example: “cross-trained staff, increasing productivity by 12% within three months.”
- Use keywords to describe your skills and experience. Examples: “Word 2002,” “product launch,” “financial analysis,” and “program management.”
- Include some industry buzzwords to show your familiarity with the business—but don’t go overboard to the point of making your résumé hard to read or understand.
- List recent information and experience. The general rule of thumb is to show only the last ten to twelve years of experience.
- Allow plenty of white space. Use a 12-point, non-decorative font.
- Proofread your résumé at least three times and ask a friend to proof it as well.
Don’ts
- Do not use pronouns such as “I,” “me,” “we,” or “our.”
- Do not include salary requirements.
- Do not include references or the phrase “References furnished upon request.” It goes without saying that you will be happy to provide references when asked.
- Do not include personal information such as race, marital status, age, political affiliation, or interests (golf, sky diving, and so on).
- Do not overdo the use of capital letters and bold type.
- Do not crowd the margins or use type smaller than 12 point.
- Do not use italics, underlining, or shading because these do not scan well.
Hi I'm Mary Jeanne Vincent, Career Expert and Strategist. I have a private career coaching. I help people just like you reframe their background, rediscover their expertise and reclaim their career to make smart and rewarding career choices.
If you found this article valuable, imagine how much I can personally help you with your job search, career transition, or career success strategy by offering ideas, coaching, and advice for your unique situation. Contact me at 831.657.9151 or mjv@careercoachmjv.com today to find out how I can personally help you succeed during this time of uncertainty. Get the guidance, support, and tools you need to successfully jump back into the job market.
- Get clear about your areas of expertise
- Gain clarity about your on-the-job contributions
- Confidently present your value to potential employers
- Develop an accomplishment-based résumé that effectively sells YOU!
- Demonstrate your value an Expert rather than simply a job seeker
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