Resume Writing

I often get requests for resume templates.  People are keen to have an idea of how their resume should be presented.  Make it pretty!

It is not the template that is important it is the content.  What you put into the template.

Sure we can put our name in orange and font 76.   Yes you can add a picture of yourself and add logos of the companies you have worked for.  But….and here’s the but….is it really going to get you the interview?

What I am encouraging you to do is to think about what you need to write in the resume.  You need to sell your skills in your career summary, you need to document your responsibilities and achievements in such a way that leaves the employer wanting to know more.  You need to create an impact in a short space of time – I refer to this in my tutorial as the 10 second test. 

So get a template that is easy on the eye, makes maximum use of the page in terms of formatting and then spend even more time populating it with the right information!

Good Luck.

At a recent seminar I announced something that unsettled the jobseeker audience.  I tore up their cover letter efforts in one sentence.

“People rarely read your cover letter” 

The audience gasped.

Jobseekers work so hard to get their message across in a letter.  They think this is the wrapper for their job application.   The icing on the cake that makes them stand out from the other applications.

Let’s consider a few things here from the receiver’s point of view:

• When sending your resume jobseekers tend to send this as ‘Resume.doc’ or similar and then also attach as a separate file ‘Cover Letter.doc’.  So you have already given the reader the power of choice….which document do they want to open when verifying your suitability for the role?
• The Recruiter or Hiring Manager receives 100 responses to a job advert.  They are looking to interview maybe 5 people for the job.  They have to read through the 100 resumes (and cover letters?)  They skim read the resumes online and maybe print the ones they are interested in for when they call.  Still no cover letter.
• The job description is a list of responsibilities for the role and the brief of what skills the ideal candidate will have…this information is typically in your resume?  So initial assessment is a matching game.

Some people argue that they need to use the cover letter as an introduction to their resume or an opportunity to point out their soft skills relevant for the role.  I argue that this again can be achieved with a Career Objective in your resume and clever use of document title. 

The one thing this controversial statement did do was unify people on was this – job seekers need to tailor each and every application to the job they are applying.  So, amend your Career Objective paragraph accordingly.  Be smart when giving your applications a document title eg:
“ Joe Bloggs – Resume for Sales Manager Role with Apple.doc”

Some employers do request a cover letter – in this case you should most certainly produce one.  Show off your written communication skills as well as your suitability to the role.

One final challenge – spend the energy and time you would usually spend in your cover letter – by also adapting and tailoring your resume.  Your efforts should pay off.

Let me know how you go.

We all start our career somewhere with a blank piece of paper. No matter what stage you are at, senior executive or university graduate, your resume is still your sales document. You need to tailor your resume throughout your career to incorporate as many transferrable or life skills and examples or evidence of these to demonstrate your suitability for the position of interest. Read full article »

Your covering letter or email is important and you should endeavor to include a tailored version which every application you make. Think of it as the finishing touch, the packaging for your resume. Think of it like a birthday present. Do you expect your present to be wrapped and come with a birthday card or a bow tie? Of course you do! Read full article »

Your resume or CV will be at the height of its effectiveness when packed with keywords. Why? Over 90% resumes will be skim read. The detail of your resume will only be read once it has been established that you are amongst the strongest applicants. This may be at a later stage in the process and perhaps even by a different reader! Read full article »

There are three common resume formats: chronological, functional and combination. It is important to consider each style and which is going to most effectively correspond with what you are looking to achieve. So, before putting pen to paper or hitting the keyboard answer these questions.

What are you applying for?
Who is your audience?
What experience and achievements will best sell this experience? Read full article »

Once you are satisfied with your resume, the next step is to consider how to circulate it. You want to be sure that the right audience receives and understands your objective. Think about your target market and which medium is most appealing for them. Read full article »

What are transferable skills? Usually we refer to transferable skills as those that we can use in another job. Having transferable skills allows us to move our careers in various directions. Read full article »

Love it or hate it you are going to need to rely on your resume during your search. There are no right or wrongs on style or content, however we do have views on best practice and have included our 12 top tips on executive resumes. Read full article »

The objective of your resume or CV and application letter is purely to secure a meeting or interview with your prospective employer. Your resume and application letter is important in selling you to people who don’t know you. It’s their first impression of you and needs to be a positive one if you are to progress further. Read full article »