| If you are reading this, you are probably | | | | degree or a specialized certification might. An |
| contemplating writing or rewriting your resume for a | | | | employer may be scared off by too much training or |
| new position, a career change, or for some other | | | | experience (yet another reason to keep the resume |
| related reason. There are some items that are highly | | | | short and sweet), especially if it's not related to the |
| important when thinking about your resume beyond | | | | position to which you're applying. The employer may |
| the obvious (many of the obvious items have been | | | | wonder if they are going to invest all kinds of time |
| discussed in other blog posts from me): | | | | and money in teaching you their business just to |
| - Focus what it is you're looking for. In the current | | | | have you leave later on because you were never |
| economic cycle, specialists are in far more demand | | | | really happy to begin with (and this may very well be |
| than generalists. You've probably heard the old saying | | | | the case with a so-called "transitional job" when the |
| "a Jack of all trades and a master of none". That just | | | | economy is bad; but, why let the cat out of the |
| won't work anymore. Before writing or rewriting your | | | | bag?). |
| resume, get clarity on what it is you're after and | | | | - Resume books come and go and if you're going it |
| then determine how best to position that on your | | | | alone, stay up to date on current trends, styles, and |
| resume by determining what is really important and | | | | formats on resumes. Figure out what hiring managers |
| what is really not. This is not to say that you can't | | | | want currently - this may be very different than |
| have more than one resume, each with its own | | | | even just a year or two ago. An Internet search |
| focus; however, that would beg the question about | | | | should yield excellent results and examples. |
| whether you're a master or a "Jack". | | | | - This one is obvious, and so frequently overlooked |
| - Keep it short and sweet: your resume is not your | | | | that it bears repeating here: always, always, always |
| life history. Focus on achievement oriented | | | | have a fresh pair of eyes review your resume. Spell |
| information - information that points to results as the | | | | checker isn't going to catch everything, no matter |
| result of the work that you did or managed. | | | | how up to date your software is, and grammar |
| Employers want to know what you can do for them | | | | checker isn't going to always go with the style that |
| and if it's not clear, your resume goes nowhere. While | | | | you're trying to emulate. As an added bonus, the |
| it may be difficult at first, really sit down and think | | | | fresh pair of eyes can give you insights into how |
| over what you have done and what a hiring manager | | | | you're coming across. |
| is likely or unlikely to want to know. Do you think | | | | - What do you bring to the table that other |
| they'll want to know that you set up the meeting | | | | candidates may not? It may not be obvious to you, |
| room for a weekly staff meeting? Probably not. | | | | because you're familiar with what this trait(s) is. But |
| They may, however, be interested in knowing if you | | | | someone reading your resume may not be unless |
| coordinated widely divergent schedules, food, | | | | you list it. Do you know a very unique software |
| transportation, and the like for the same weekly | | | | package that's relevant? A second language that |
| staff meetings, and that you did it successfully and | | | | would be a great fit for the organizations clientele? |
| with charm and grace. | | | | Specific, but unusual experience in the field? List |
| - Are you applying for a position that doesn't fit your | | | | these things and really stand out. |
| background or education? In many cases, it's better | | | | These tips should help you develop a far more |
| to leave off advanced education, certification, | | | | effective resume. Good luck. |
| training, etc. if the position doesn't (implicitly or | | | | Copyright © 2010, Trustworthy Coaching. All |
| explicitly) require it. In most cases, an undergraduate | | | | Worldwide Rights Reserved. |
| degree is not going to hurt you; but, a higher level | | | | |