You Can Write a Winning Resume

There are standard resume formats that are now widely accepted. If you hired a professional resume writer, your resume would contain the following standard elements according to their resume template:

• Name
• Contact details
  
• Specialization or Industry title (optional but preferred)
• List of skills
• Reverse Chronological List of Professional Experience with accomplishments
  
• Education
• Professional affiliations and / or other relevant history

By following a standard resume template, your resume will contain essential details that potential employers look for.

Resume Scanning Software

Some companies use resume scanning software to route incoming resumes into buckets. Buckets may include: potential candidates, file for future consideration, unsuitable / unqualified. Using the right format with strong language could get your resume looked at, moved into the short pile, and result in an interview.

To get your resume seen, you need to use powerful language. That language will help the scanning software route your resume appropriately and help you pique the interest of the hiring manager or HR person reading those resumes manually.

Resume Tip - Use Action Words

Start each bullet point in your professional accomplishments with an action verb wherever possible. Examples of resume action words include:

• Spearheaded
• Analyzed
• Implemented
• Deployed
• Facilitated

Resume Tips: Scannable Resumes:

Bullet points and spacing allows you to make your resume scannable. Hiring managers tend to scan quickly before deciding to actually read so powerful words and plenty of white space make it easy to do that.

Resume Tip - Customizing:

Tweak your resume for each job you are applying for. Examine the language used on the job posting so you can be sure to list specific skills that you possess (which are desirable by the employer) and the company website so that you appear to fit their corporate culture.

Resume Tip - Use a Sample Resume

After you prepare your resume for a potential employer, look up sample resumes that match your job title. Is there language in some of those sample resumes that you can adopt strategies or lingo from that could help you polish your own resume?

Resume Tip - List Your Accomplishments

Why should someone hire you? Show why you were valuable at your previous jobs. List awards, accomplishments, cost savings, or numbers in terms of profit you directly helped generate.

1. Don't: Use fancy fonts. Verdana, Arial, and Times New Roman are good options
2. Don't: Use cutesy email addresses. If necessary, create a professional first name+last name e-mail account
3. Don't: List personal hobbies or personal information. It's not necessary.
4. Don't: Forget to proofread. You can only make a first impression once.
5. Don't: Date Yourself. Showing experience is good but try staying within the last 10-15 years if possible.
   
6. Don't: Fake it. List accurate credentials. You can write powerfully to make yourself seem like the perfect fit but don't lie. Not getting a job you want isn't nearly as bad as being unable to do a job you've presented yourself as qualified for. The potential consequences and outcome are not work the risk.
   

Your winning resume could help you find the career of your dreams. Don't underestimate the power of a professionally- written resume.