Archive for resume writing
Polishing Your Résumé Part II
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Is your résumé the best it can be?
Need to start over from scratch?
Use these insightful tips to create a
winning résumé.
(if you missed Part I, you can read it here)
Résumé writing can be intimidating. We wonder,
what do I include, what do I leave out? How do I make
it look nice? In what order do I need to list everything?
Some of the most common concerns I hear from my career
coaching clients are about how to organize their résumé
and what pieces of information to include. Here are some
tips that can help you get started on either creating your
résumé from scratch or updating it for your next job search.
Keep it Concise and Easy to Read:
Enough said. You don’t want to send a potential employer a novel.
You want the hiring manager to be able to scan your résumé with
ease. Keep it short while highlighting why you’re the best person
for the job. The typical recommended length is one page for an
entry-level position, and two pages for a position requiring more
experience.
Include a Cover Letter: Always include a cover letter with your résumé, unless the person
doing the hiring specifies not to. This demonstrates your communication
skills, shows you are interested in the job because you’re
taking time to write the letter, and it can highlight those items
you really want them to notice on your résumé. If your writing
skills are not great, I highly recommend working with a professional
résumé writer for help.
Show Your Personality:
Give the potential employer a sense of who you are as a person
outside of work. What’s unique or different about you? Where
do you spend your time outside of work? Include outside activities
and organizations that you are involved in—it helps you stand
out in the crowd, or in the pile of résumés, in this case.
Emphasize Contributions, Not Duties:
Résumés should always highlight what you contributed or accomplished
at a job, as opposed to duties or responsibilities. This is
another area where people tend to struggle. They want to merely
list their job description. Don’t do this—explain how you contributed
to that organization. Use action verbs and highlight those
accomplishments that are relevant to the position you are applying
for.
Be Proud:
Make sure you feel proud of your résumé. It will show in the
interview. If you’re pleased with it, that will come across. Your
résumé is representative of you—make sure it’s something you’re
proud of.
If you need help with a resume or cover letter, consider a resume/cover letter session.
Here's to having a career you love!
Polishing Your Résumé Part I
Posted by: | CommentsIs your résumé the best it can be?
Need to start over from scratch?
Use these insightful tips to create a
winning résumé.
Résumé writing can be intimidating. We wonder,
what do I include, what do I leave out? How do I make
it look nice? In what order do I need to list everything?
Some of the most common concerns I hear from my career
coaching clients are about how to organize their résumé
and what pieces of information to include. Here are some
tips that can help you get started on either creating your
résumé from scratch or updating it for your next job search.
Brainstorm:
The best way to get started is to brainstorm about your
natural talents and abilities. Write down everything you’ve
accomplished, even as far back as childhood. This is a confidence
boost and also can help you get everything out on
paper that you could possibly include in your résumé.
Give Yourself Credit:
We tend to downplay the things we are naturally good
at. This is because we assume that since it comes so naturally
to us, everyone must be good at it, right? Wrong. Just
because you can easily organize your office and keep your
files in amazing working order does not mean everyone can
do that. Perhaps you coordinated your local church’s picnic
and did a spectacular job. Not everyone has that particular
skill, so give yourself credit for what comes naturally to
you. Do this, of course, while being honest and accurate.
It’s never a good idea to blatantly lie on your résumé.
Organize in a Way that Is Best for You:
One thing people frequently ask me is, “Do I have to put my
résumé in chronological order?” The answer is no. Ordering your
work experience by date isn’t necessary— relevance is. If you
prefer chronological order, and it seems particularly appropriate
for the job you’re hunting for, go for it. But I typically recommend
highlighting your skills and accomplishments that are relevant to
the position, and organizing the résumé with jobs that are most
relevant at the top. If you have a spotty job record, this also helps
minimize that issue.
Clearly State Your Objective:
Make sure your career objective clearly states the type of work
you desire—the more specific, the better. Specific objectives are
more powerful and hard-hitting. They stand out. If you’re not sure
what type of job you want, consider working with a career coach
or counselor to clarify the next step you would like to take in your
career
If you need help with a resume or cover letter, consider a resume/cover letter session.
Here's to having a career you love!
Resume Writing Rumors
Posted by: | CommentsThere are so many rumors that circulate about the "right or wrong way" to craft your career resume. Can you recall people in your lifetime, offering you free advice on the proper protocol for resume creation?
"Always list your career history in chronological order."
"Make sure you print on cream or grey parchment paper instead of plain white so you'll get noticed in the pile."
"Don't make even the tiniest mistake or your resume will get thrown into the trash!"
The fact is, each career opportunity is unique, as is each employer. Something that appeals to one hiring manager may actually be a turnoff to another. You won't know what that might be until the day of your interview… so, there’s no sense in obsessing about it or trying to please everyone.
So if you're feeling anxious about creating your resume, don't sweat it! Two things that will get you noticed "in the pile" are if you tackle your career seeking research with confidence, and approach things in your own style. And it's worth pointing out that "in your own style" does not mean unprofessional. It simply means having common sense about the things that any hiring manager would want to read on a resume, while also giving yourself the freedom to be who you are and share your best qualities.
Here's a great tip for writing your resume. Put yourself directly into the employer's shoes. If you were running a business or managing a department, what qualities would you want in your future employees? Think about the position that needs to be filled. What skills and strengths might a supervisor equate with "the ideal candidate." Do you possess those qualities? Perfect! Talk about it in your career resume and cover letter. Let them know exactly why you are the ideal person for the job.
For personal career guidance that includes resume writing tips as well as finding a career you love, contact me for a complimentary phone consultation.
Here's to having a career you love!
Hallie Crawford
Career Coach & Speaker
