Creating a Good Resume is an Art

Landing a good job will depend a lot on your education and work history. Also important is how well you do during the interview process. But, if you can’t get your foot in the door, you most likely can blame your resume. If you’re going for a job you’re qualified for, the resume is key to opening the door.

Many people believe they need to lie on their resumes to even get an interview. This is not so. Employers, at least many of them, check references and background before they call people in for interviews. So, if a lie is present, you may not even get a call. Or, if checking isn’t done on the front end, it will be done if a problem arises. If you lied to get the job, there could be legal actions taken. So, either way, you lose. Save yourself the hassle and be honest on a resume.

Over and above being honest on a resume, there is an art to creating one for different positions. A resume is an extension of the person applying for a job. It should speak to its readers about the person’s competence, skills and abilities. It should tell them this “is the one I want” before an interview even takes place.

To make sure your resume gets the attention you deserve from potential employers, here are some basic tips:
* Go after jobs you’re qualified for. Don’t apply for a rocket science position with a degree in English and expect to get a phone call. Be realistic about your background, education and skills.
* Tailor a resume for the employer. If you’re going for a sales job, state your objectives in that field clearly. If you want to be an artist, say that and where you’d like to go in the field. Different resume styles should be used for different positions as well. An artist likely would want a more creative piece whereas an engineer a more basic one.
* Provide basic information. This means basics about education, work history, skills and personal information such as telephone number and address.
* Give them enough information to get their interest without boring them. Personnel directors do not have the time to read five-page resumes. Keep yours short, compelling and to the point and you’ll capture their attention. Make it so long they need to take a lunch break to read it, and your resume might end up in the trash.
* Be clear and concise with wording. Don’t embellish. Tell the truth, but do it well.
* If you’re writing a cover letter, keep this short, but explain why you want the job and why you’re the best person for it. Remember, you’re selling yourself here. Your skills and knowledge or ability to learn are your products, play them up!

Once a resume has been crafted, be certain to read it over very carefully. Companies do not want to hire people who cannot fill out basic forms. For almost every supervisory position going, there is at least one resume that comes in from someone who wants to be a “manger” instead of a “manager.” Don’t rely on spell check on a computer either or you’re likely to be looking for that manger’s position and a good “car” instead of “career.”

A resume is the first selling point for a person seeking a job. A well-written resume can open doors. A poorly written one can close them and keep them that way. Be clear, concise and honest.

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