Writing A Resume: The Right Way

Writing a resume is more than just listing your past jobs and your qualifications, it is your resume writing skill that is the key to getting the job interview and winning that new job you wanted. This is the reason I am laying out for you exactly the right way to go.

As a professional resume writer I recognize that what works best for my clients is a resume that is easy for the hiring manager or recruitment specialist to read, so jamming too much information on the page is out, as is using jargon or fancy words that people do not understand.

Sample Resume Layout

Click for more resume templates.

If the person reading it can easily follow what you have written, it makes their job much quicker meaning you are more likely to be called in for an interview much sooner.

Writing A Resume Needs Detachment

Writing a resume yourself can mean that you lack the necessary detachment to really focus your resume on the skills and qualifications that are most relevant for the specific job application. I understand that you are specially proud of some of your achievements, but that does not mean that they are the best ones to demonstrate your suitability.

Summarize Your Qualifications

Thus knowing what to include as well as what NOT to include may be difficult for you.

Because every single wanted ad attracts possibly hundreds of job hunters, these other job seeking people are your direct competition. So, look at it from the hiring manager's point of view; faced with all those resumes, how to reduce the number to a manageable level? The answer is that they use the pile of documents to filter OUT any candidate whose resume is difficult to read, is scruffy in presentation or does not APPEAR to have the right qualifications.

Most personnel administrators, who could be the first person to see your resume, do not have sufficient knowledge to understand the relevance of every bit of information you present to them, so if it is not in exactly the right format, your resume will probably be rejected at the first reading.

You Don't Need To Include Everything

Far too many people include everything they can think of on the assumption that the more information included has to be a good thing, and that all the answers to all the questions lie in there somewhere. But when the initial sift is conducted, your resume must pass to the next stage within less than 30 seconds and that means that only relevant detail can be included. Too much and the reader won't be bothered to look for it and find it.

So, writing a resume is about knowing precisely what the employer is looking for and writing it in such a way that the information is immediately obvious while showing that YOU, the job applicant, has the existing skills, qualifications and future potential to be an outstanding employee.

I recommend that if you decide to get help with writing a resume, you hire a professional resume writer who has demonstrable experience in writing effective resumes. Please do not make the decision on price alone, although there may be some very good resume writers at the bottom of the price scale, you may find that your resume is farmed out to low paid contractors who cannot create the resume you need. When you consider the available resume writing services, look for one who will work with you to ensure your satisfaction and offer a money back guarantee.

Crucially, I also suggest that you look for the resume writing business owner who does all the resume writing personally and has the background and credentials to create the resume that will enhance your job applications. That way you are giving yourself the best chance of getting the new job you want much more quickly - and that means money in the bank sooner.

Focusing Your resume

If your resume is to be sent to an individual employer which has advertised a position and wants applications including a resume, you should carefully research the organization and the position first to make sure that your resume writing puts the right emphasis on what is important to the employer.

If you are writing a resume to be used for a direct approach - in other words where no job has been advertised - it is even more important to target it to create an impression of where best you would fit in, or what job you would be most suited to. To do that you must get an idea of what the work involves and what skills and personal qualities are needed to do it successfully. Then you can tailor the resume to the work and to bring out your own relevant experience, showing how your skills would make you a viable candidate.

In all probability you will be using the same resume for a number of different employers, but you should still personalize the covering letter by including a paragraph about what you know of the organization and why you want to work for them.

Follow the links for example resumes, and application forms and covering letters. Take a look at these Cover Letter Examples to be sure you have the right letter style and content.

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