Is Your Resume On Target?
by: Linda Matias
When writing a resume, create a mental picture of a desk piled
high with dozens or even hundreds of resumes next to each other.
These resumes were submitted by people who want the job you are
applying for and are just as qualified as you. Keeping this image
forefront is critical to your success in creating compelling ad
copy. It will force you to focus on creating a strong title
and a targeted opening which tells the employer to consider your
qualifications with care.
Each reader who picks up your resume will make a quick decision
as to whether to read it carefully therefore, the top one-third
of your resume should include a powerful statement that sums who
you are and encapsulates your professional experience.
These are the questions a hiring manager wants answered:
The field you are in -- even more specifically, what department
you want to work in and the title you would like to have.
How much experience you have in a similar position or in
the field?
What special skills and/or certifications you have?
The difficult problems you have solved and what you have
accomplished.
The advances you have made throughout your career.
The type of person you are and your work characteristics.
A profile statement is an overview, a brief summary of your accomplishments.
It should be 1-2 paragraphs long with of 3-4 sentences, or perhaps
a series of bulleted points.
Heres an example of a tightly written, short summary statement
BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MANAGER
Accomplished marketing and business development executive with
perennial record of success driving marketing strategies and capitalizing
on opportunities that have led to multimillion-dollar growth.
Able to deliver results that position organizations for immediate
and long-term growth. Expert presenter, astute marketer, and confident
team leader with documented strength in forging strong, sustainable
executive-level relationships. Skillful change agent with advanced
problem solving and communication skills. Understands both macro
picture of market issues and minute details necessary for successful
business solutions. Goal-driven.
Below is an example of series bulleted statements
? Accomplished manager with 20+ years of experience as Environmental,
Health & Safety specialist for industry-leading organizations.
Maintain highest quality standards to avoid time and cost expenditures.
? Quality and safety specialist with the ability to analyze operations,
pinpoint areas for improvement and redesign, and implement plans
that generate profitable results.
? Excellent relationship builder with success in forming strong,
sustainable relationships and securing consensus among cross-functional
team members for key initiatives.
To wrap up
The most qualified candidate is not always the one to get an
interview the one with the strongest resume is. Your profile
sets the tone for the rest of the resume, and serves as a tease
that invites the reader to take notice. A resume is more than
just a piece of paper, and as a job seeker it is your responsibility
to make it easy for the reader to conclude that you are the best
candidate for an interview. A targeted opening will capture the
interest of the reader.
Certified in all three areas of the job search Certified
Interview Coach (CIC) Job & Career Transition Coach
(JCTC) and Nationally Certified Resume Writer (NCRW) Linda
is qualified to assist you in your career transition. Whether
it be a complete career makeover, interview preparation or resume
assistance. Linda is the president of CareerStrides and can be
reached via email (linda@careerstrides.com) or by visiting her
website (www.careerstrides.com).
Copyright Linda Matias - http://www.careerstrides.com