When Making a Resume, Follow These Tips
Making a resume can be a gut wrenching experience, especially if it has been a while since you last drafted one. There are many pitfalls to making a resume and the following three tips will help you improve your chances of earning the interview.
Tip #1: Use the spell checking feature on your personal computer. I know, you have heard this before, yet I can not overstate this. Human resource representatives still have this pitfall as their number one gripe. Take the time to proof read your document. There is no excuse for a spelling mistake. If you lack the attention to detail on your resume, how can you possibly convince the employer that you have the necessary attention to detail and organizational skills to perform the duties of the position?
Tip #2: Choose the best format to highlight your advantages. When making your resume, you want to get results. If you have an employment gap or if you are changing fields, stay away from a chronological resume format. The functional or blended format will highlight your skills and help take the focus off of your employment gap or career change. These two formats put your transferable skills, education and your brand/unique selling proposition up front and center.
Tip #3: Check your contact information. You are either making a first impression or confirming the impression you already made. Your contact information needs to represent you in a professional manner. If you are going to include your cell phone number for follow up, make sure your message is professional. If an employer calls you and, instead of a ring, they are forced to listen to a song, this may set a bad tone for the phone call. Similarly, if you are going to include your e-mail, make sure your e-mail address is professional and represents you.
Making a resume takes effort. Too many job seekers submit their resume in a fashion that is sloppy and disorganized. Many cases, your resume is going to be the first impression you make on your audience. First impressions are critical as you only have a small window to gain the attention of the audience. Avoid these pitfalls and you will have more success in advancing yourself to the interview.
Tip #1: Use the spell checking feature on your personal computer. I know, you have heard this before, yet I can not overstate this. Human resource representatives still have this pitfall as their number one gripe. Take the time to proof read your document. There is no excuse for a spelling mistake. If you lack the attention to detail on your resume, how can you possibly convince the employer that you have the necessary attention to detail and organizational skills to perform the duties of the position?
Tip #2: Choose the best format to highlight your advantages. When making your resume, you want to get results. If you have an employment gap or if you are changing fields, stay away from a chronological resume format. The functional or blended format will highlight your skills and help take the focus off of your employment gap or career change. These two formats put your transferable skills, education and your brand/unique selling proposition up front and center.
Tip #3: Check your contact information. You are either making a first impression or confirming the impression you already made. Your contact information needs to represent you in a professional manner. If you are going to include your cell phone number for follow up, make sure your message is professional. If an employer calls you and, instead of a ring, they are forced to listen to a song, this may set a bad tone for the phone call. Similarly, if you are going to include your e-mail, make sure your e-mail address is professional and represents you.
Making a resume takes effort. Too many job seekers submit their resume in a fashion that is sloppy and disorganized. Many cases, your resume is going to be the first impression you make on your audience. First impressions are critical as you only have a small window to gain the attention of the audience. Avoid these pitfalls and you will have more success in advancing yourself to the interview.
