HOW TO WRITE A RESUME WITH PURPOSE
A resume has one purpose: To get you an interview. That means your resume should not only be focused, clear and concise, but also showcase your skills and qualifications for a specific job. Since employers often receive dozens, if not hundreds, of resumes for a single opening, your resume must make you stand out in this crowded field. Consider this: Most recruiters will look at a resume for just 10 seconds before making a decision to trash it or not. How do you make sure yours doesn't end up in the discard pile? Wes Lybrand, assistant director with the University of Alabama at Birmingham Career and Professional Development Services, shared pointers on how to create a winning resume.
Target your resume to the specific job.
About 85 percent of employers agree that you have to tailor your resume for the position for which you are applying. Prioritizing your most important and pertinent skills and qualifications can make a big difference.
About 85 percent of employers agree that you have to tailor your resume for the position for which you are applying. Prioritizing your most important and pertinent skills and qualifications can make a big difference.
Word choice is important.
Computer software is used in many businesses to eliminate as many as half of applicants. Use keywords in your resume, many of which are in the job posting, to get over that hurdle.
Computer software is used in many businesses to eliminate as many as half of applicants. Use keywords in your resume, many of which are in the job posting, to get over that hurdle.
Proofread. Proofread. Proofread.
Get friends or family to read and critique your resume. Errors in grammar and spelling, along with typos, are cause for immediate rejection.
Get friends or family to read and critique your resume. Errors in grammar and spelling, along with typos, are cause for immediate rejection.
Be concise.
for students just entering the workforce, a one-page resume works for most industries. Because of this, you have to use your space wisely. Eliminate objective statements and the "References available upon request" line. Those who have held jobs previously can have a two-page resume.
for students just entering the workforce, a one-page resume works for most industries. Because of this, you have to use your space wisely. Eliminate objective statements and the "References available upon request" line. Those who have held jobs previously can have a two-page resume.
It's OK to brag.
When describing your previous experience, accomplishments are better than duties. A list of job duties tells only what you did on the job, but accomplishments show how well you did those duties and to what effect. Nearly 90 percent of employers prefer to see verifiable accomplishments on the resume.
When describing your previous experience, accomplishments are better than duties. A list of job duties tells only what you did on the job, but accomplishments show how well you did those duties and to what effect. Nearly 90 percent of employers prefer to see verifiable accomplishments on the resume.
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