How to Write a Resume

Part One: The Work Before The Writing

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A resume, by definition, is a short, point-form write up that gives potential employers a brief outline of your work experience, education and skills. The goal of any resume is to make sure you get the interview, not the job. You won’t get the job based on the resume, but a bad resume could lose you the job before you even get it. So the interview should always be the focus of the resume, to peak the employer’s interest in you and how you could fit the job.

One important aspect of an effective resume is focus. You should always consider the job you’re applying for when you are writing your resume. And each resume you write should be catered to each specific job you apply for.

Yes, this does mean you may end up with multiple drafts of similar resumes over time. Each highlighting different items which may be more or less important to different employers. You should always look at your resume from the employer’s point of view, this will help your resume remain focused and clear.

What are these items you’re highlighting? Your achievements! So before you get into the writing of any resume your should make a large master list of all of your achievements, don’t be shy. List all education and community involvement. Each job whether full or part time, any skills or training programs you have participated in. This will give you a “brag bank” to choose from while writing your resume. And it will also give your self-confidence a boost!

Once you have written out your list of achievements consider handing it over to a friend or co-worker to pick out your unique points. Think of this like watching a commercial for a new car, they will focus on a few key aspects that set this new car model ahead of the rest. They may showcase the remote start, automatic parking, or any new unique features. You also have unique features, skills and achievements that set you apart from other candidates. Having a friend or co-worker highlight your unique points will give you an unbiased view of your most attractive qualities. Maybe even have a few people do this and ask them why they chose what they did. You will still want to be selective on which unique points you focus on. Remember to keep focused on unique points which will be attractive to that specific employer to which you are applying.

You may not be certain which unique points will suite each different employer. This is why you should always do a little research on the company first. Don’t walk into writing your resume blind. Know who the company is, what they do and read the job description to see where you will fit into the company if you get the job. Having this basic idea in mind will make it much easier to know which areas will be best to highlight for that application.

Now you are ready to sit down and actually write that resume!

See our blog next week for “How to Write a Resume: Part Two Writing the Resume to Get the Interview”.

And see our training services page to find a resume writing workshop near you!