[fogri] Tips for a Strong Resume

From: "Rovicky Dwi Putrohari" <rovicky@xxxxxxxxx>
To: <fogri@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Date: Sun, 21 Apr 2002 21:48:18 +0800
Five Tips for a Strong Resume
Write the best resume possible with these basic tips.

By Andrew Posner
WetFeet.com

The path to a finished resume is often strewn with many versions (usually
crumpled) of the work in progress. You can get it right the first time with
these tips.

1. Review the job description
Many job seekers write their resumes without first reading the job
description. The result is a resume that doesn't strongly highlight
applicable skills and experiences. Most recruiters don't have the time or
patience to search your resume for the required qualifications. If you don't
make them obvious, you may not get an interview.

If the company doesn't provide a formal job description, contact the hiring
manager to obtain a list of the required qualifications. If you can't reach
anyone, review job listings with similar titles for a group of core
competencies.

2. Choose the best resume format
There are two basic resume styles: chronological and functional. A
chronological resume organizes your work history by date and is best for
emphasizing experiences that directly apply to a particular position.

A functional resume works best if you have little or no past experience in
an industry. It presents your abilities in categories that showcase the
particular skills the job requires. For example, if the job description
emphasizes strong sales experience, consider dividing your resume into such
categories as "communication skills," "negotiation skills," and "persuasion
skills."

3. Present the tangible results of your accomplishments
Many people forget to explain how their past employment contributed to their
companies' bottom lines.

"It's important not only to just express what you've done, but also describe
the results of your actions. The best resumes I see do this," says Amy
Driscoll, the director of human resources at NextDoor Networks. "Creating a
context will make your efforts more powerful to the person reading your
resume."

Answering the questions "How much?" and "How many?" will also distinguish
you from the pack. For example, if you implemented a new accounting system
at a previous job, instead of merely referencing the accomplishment, explain
the amount of time and money your actions saved the company.

4. Consider a highlight section
Recruiters and hiring managers often take less than a minute to read a
resume. To make your minute count, consider including a highlight section at
the top of your resume, directly below your name, and, if you use one, your
objective. Highlight sections most benefit job seekers whose qualifications
don't exactly match the job description. You're more likely to get the
recruiter's attention by emphasizing your transferable skills and
exceptional accomplishments at the top of your resume instead of scattering
them throughout.

Your highlight section should be formatted in a bulleted list. In her book,
Ready-to-Go-Resumes, resume expert Yana Parker recommends that a highlight
section cover these bases:

- Number of years' experience in the field or line of work
- Relevant credentials or training
- An accomplishment that directly relates to the job
- A personal "quality" or "characteristic" that relates to the job
- Another accomplishment or characteristic that relates to the job

Don't worry if your cover letter reiterates some of the information in your
highlight section. In fact, consider using the cover letter to expand upon
one or two points from your highlight section.

5. Proofread
Typos, misprints, and grammatical errors will likely land your resume in the
trash before the recruiter even sees your qualifications. A polished,
error-free resume is key to a successful job search.

Author Bio
Andrew Posner is a San Francisco Bay Area career counselor and Internet
consultant. He has an MA degree in career development.

=======================
Resume Writing Tips

Presentation
It is critical that your resume is visually appealing to the reviewer. Use
conservative fonts, and make sure the size is readable. Limit your use of
italic or bold text. The color of the paper you use should be conservative.
We suggest white, light gray, or ivory.

There is no consensus as to what length your resume should be. The length
depends on the depth and scope of your individual experiences. Try to keep
it to either one full page or two full pages. Leaving it at 1½ pages isn't
as professional as one or two full pages.

Keep paragraphs brief: no more than five to six lines. If you have a long
paragraph on your resume, break it up into several shorter ones. Eliminate
every unnecessary word.

Format
Make sure that your resume includes all of your basic information. This
includes name, address, phone number, and e-mail address. When describing
your jobs, include employer name, city, state, dates of employment, and job
titles.

Provide the name of the degree you earned, as well as the graduation date
for colleges and universities attended. All certification (from technical
schools, colleges, and universities) should list the name of the certifying
body and the year you received it.

List your subject areas in a way that make sense to you. For example, if you
are an I/T professional with a critical programming skill, list "Computer
Skills" first, above "Work Experience." Most employers prefer the
reverse-chronological format. However, if you are changing careers, have
held many jobs in a short period of time, or have gaps in your employment,
you may prefer the functional-style format.

Spelling & Grammar
Employers and recruiters expect a resume free of spelling and grammar
mistakes. Don't send a signal that you didn't take time to properly
proofread your resume.

Content
Your resume must be results-oriented. It must be concise, and packed with
important data. It is much more than just a list of job descriptions from
previous positions you have held. In today's business world, reviewers look
for people who helped their previous employers in measurable ways. One of
the ways this is determined is by using power verbs and power words.

Power Verbs and Words
Power verbs denote that you took action. Examples include words like
"accomplished," "achieved," and "managed." When reviewers see these action
words, they realize that you are a person that takes initiative: you are a
self-starter.

The use of power words helps measure the result of the actions you took.
Examples of power words are "positive," "results," and "significant."
Whenever possible, quantify your results with numbers (cut costs 50%, saved
$100,000, etc.).

Emphasize your recent work experience. In today's changing world, reviewers
don't care what you were doing fifteen-twenty years ago.

Try to highlight your strengths, and minimize your weaknesses.

Focus
If you do not yet have much work experience, create a clear "Objective."
This is the only way the reviewer can know what type of position you seek.
If you do have a fair amount of work experience, include a "Career Profile,"
"Summary of Skills," or "Professional Skills" area at the beginning of the
resume. This gives the reviewer an idea of the type of position you are
seeking.

Final Note
Your resume is a tool for selling yourself to an employer. A twenty to
thirty second review by an employer usually determines whether or not you
will get an interview for the job. Be sure your resume highlights all your
major accomplishments in a concise, clear, and understandable manner.

Visit the following links for more tips and suggestions for improving your
resume writing skills:

http://topechelon.com/jobseekers/sixresumerules.htm
http://jobstar.org/tools/resume/
http://safetynet.doleta.gov/resume.htm
http://www.wetfeet.com/advice/resumes.asp

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[fogri] Tips for a Strong Resume

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