What is the best kind of resume?
There is no one best kind. The best resume is one that works best.
That`s obvious, isn`t it?
It should be, but most of the resumes I`ve seen aren`t designed with that "obvious" purpose in mind. They read like an obituary, simply listing jobs, duties and education. They are dull, boring and dead. What they aren`t, typically, is an advertisement to catch attention and stimulate interest.
But isn`t a resume supposed to tell your work history?
Says who? If a work history produces interviews, fine. Otherwise, no. A history or chronological resume can be effective for people who fit into a neat category. For example, if you have always worked as an accountant and want another job as an accountant, a work history may be appropriate. Even so, there are some pitfalls to avoid.
Like what?
Like length. Anything more than a page or so won`t be read. Like job duties. Anyone reading your resume probably knows what the duties of an accountant, or whatever, are. Instead of just listing duties, describe your accomplishments! Show how you have helped your employers. The typical resume says nothing about whether you did your job well or not, just that you did it.
What if you don`t have any spectacular successes?
That`s okay. An accomplishment doesn`t have to be major, just any task you performed well that helped your employer. There is no better way to prove you can help prospective employers solve their problems than to mention results you have produced in the past. Further, in listing accomplishments, you are not bragging, just stating facts. The reader will believe whatever their own conclusions are about those facts. They will doubt it if they hear from you how great you are. Accomplishments push an employer`s hot buttons buy focusing on what is in it for them in hiring you.
What else can a resume be, if not a history?
It can be an advertisement for you. Often, the most effective resume is one that shows what you can do for an employer, not just where you have been. A good resume embodies the "advertising theme" for your self-marketing campaign. It communicates a simple, clear, accurate, positive message emphasizing the benefits an employer will gain by hiring you. It is often best organized around skills, not jobs. For example, the main headings for a manager`s resume might be: Decision Making and Problem Solving;, Planning and Organizing; and Communication and Directing. Relevant accomplishments from several jobs are listed under each of these headings, proving you have that skill. A brief history of jobs and schooling might be at the bottom of the page. This can all fits on one page, is more memorable and it leads them to their own conclusion that you are good at what you do.
How do you know what skills to emphasize?
Figure out what your prospective employer is looking for, then emphasize that.
What if different job skills are wanted for various jobs?
Then you need more than one resume. Ideally, you should have a unique resume for each prospective employer.
That`s a lot of trouble, isn't it?
Not really. With word processing, it is easy to make different resumes once you have developed a list of accomplishments. Besides, if you are using your resume properly, you will not need many of them. The most important purpose of a resume is to think through your image, or "unique selling proposition". In an effective job search, the resume is mainly a script to use in talking about yourself. The best time to give your resume is at the end of the interview as a tangible reminder of the message you have been conveying.
You`re saying that people rely too much on resumes?
Exactly! But that`s another story.
There is no one best kind. The best resume is one that works best.
That`s obvious, isn`t it?
It should be, but most of the resumes I`ve seen aren`t designed with that "obvious" purpose in mind. They read like an obituary, simply listing jobs, duties and education. They are dull, boring and dead. What they aren`t, typically, is an advertisement to catch attention and stimulate interest.
But isn`t a resume supposed to tell your work history?
Says who? If a work history produces interviews, fine. Otherwise, no. A history or chronological resume can be effective for people who fit into a neat category. For example, if you have always worked as an accountant and want another job as an accountant, a work history may be appropriate. Even so, there are some pitfalls to avoid.
Like what?
Like length. Anything more than a page or so won`t be read. Like job duties. Anyone reading your resume probably knows what the duties of an accountant, or whatever, are. Instead of just listing duties, describe your accomplishments! Show how you have helped your employers. The typical resume says nothing about whether you did your job well or not, just that you did it.
What if you don`t have any spectacular successes?
That`s okay. An accomplishment doesn`t have to be major, just any task you performed well that helped your employer. There is no better way to prove you can help prospective employers solve their problems than to mention results you have produced in the past. Further, in listing accomplishments, you are not bragging, just stating facts. The reader will believe whatever their own conclusions are about those facts. They will doubt it if they hear from you how great you are. Accomplishments push an employer`s hot buttons buy focusing on what is in it for them in hiring you.
What else can a resume be, if not a history?
It can be an advertisement for you. Often, the most effective resume is one that shows what you can do for an employer, not just where you have been. A good resume embodies the "advertising theme" for your self-marketing campaign. It communicates a simple, clear, accurate, positive message emphasizing the benefits an employer will gain by hiring you. It is often best organized around skills, not jobs. For example, the main headings for a manager`s resume might be: Decision Making and Problem Solving;, Planning and Organizing; and Communication and Directing. Relevant accomplishments from several jobs are listed under each of these headings, proving you have that skill. A brief history of jobs and schooling might be at the bottom of the page. This can all fits on one page, is more memorable and it leads them to their own conclusion that you are good at what you do.
How do you know what skills to emphasize?
Figure out what your prospective employer is looking for, then emphasize that.
What if different job skills are wanted for various jobs?
Then you need more than one resume. Ideally, you should have a unique resume for each prospective employer.
That`s a lot of trouble, isn't it?
Not really. With word processing, it is easy to make different resumes once you have developed a list of accomplishments. Besides, if you are using your resume properly, you will not need many of them. The most important purpose of a resume is to think through your image, or "unique selling proposition". In an effective job search, the resume is mainly a script to use in talking about yourself. The best time to give your resume is at the end of the interview as a tangible reminder of the message you have been conveying.
You`re saying that people rely too much on resumes?
Exactly! But that`s another story.
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