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Many employees are overlooked simply because they do not know how to set out a resume. Even though they may possess the right skills for the job, they could still miss out on the interview.
All too often, qualified candidates are rejected because of poor resumes. Many have outstanding qualifications and skills, - but they don't have a clue on how to market themselves.
And the NUMBER 1 reason is that they don't know...
... how to construct a stand out RESUME.
If you have good qualifications and skills and yet you're not getting job interviews, there's one reason why. What's standing between you and your dream job is ..
... your resume.
Savvy resume writing is about following proven systems that work. Here's what you need to remember: a resume's power has nothing to do with how "different" or "original" it is. It's the format of a resume which makes it such a powerful marketing tool. It's the logical steps that it takes to convey your skills that makes a job interview possible.
Ask any star salesperson and they'll tell you they have a proven way they get the sales they do. Nothing is left to chance - they use a "system." Not a brand new technique every time.
It's the "formula" behind it which sells. Not the "new" idea. THAT is a fundamental principle which you must understand if you want to become a world-class marketer. And when you are presenting a resume, you are selling YOU!
Too many employees concentrate on delivering their work history in a timely yet boring format. While stating previous experience is essential, the way in which you present it could make the difference between getting the job and not.
Put yourself in the shoes of the employer. Think of yourself as that employer and think about what you would view as the perfect candidate for the job. What traits do you think he/she wants? You might not have a particular skill but a willingness to learn and an ability to learn quickly might be two traits that may make you attractive to a potential employer.
You only get one chance to catch the attention of your potential employer. Your resume is not simply your lifes history but rather a well thought out, carefully marketed display of your most important qualities first.
Here are some tips:
Experience (Full-time, summer, part-time, internship and relevant experience)
This is a listing of your paid and unpaid work experience. You may find that you have experience that directly relates to the job you are seeking and also experience that relates indirectly, (i.e., experience which helped you to develop leadership, public speaking, organization, skills, etc.)
List the most recent experience first in a chronological resume
If you are using a functional resume, list your work experience in order of importance relating to your summary of skills paragraph.
In describing your responsibilities on the job, be specific and use active verbs. Always put verbs in the past tense even though you may be currently performing these duties.
Volunteer experiences may be incorporated into Career Related Experience or listed separately under heading: Community or Volunteer Experience.
Responsibilities should be short, to the point and relate to the position you are applying for. It is no good showcasing your ability to work with children if you are applying for the position of a technical advisor in an IT firm.
You may have had impressive accomplishments in your work history. Your accomplishments set you apart from your competitors.
Think of yourself as an employer who is hiring and 15 qualified applicants come for the position. Each applicant has the same basic educational and work history background. So how do you choose someone?
The candidate who contributed the most at past positions. Accomplishments are one thing that can set you apart from others, but your accomplishments must be quantified.
