A resume represents you in words and is what creates the first impression. Therefore, a resume must be well thought out and perfectly written. According to experts in the field of human resources there are five basic concepts:
1. A resume should market your skills. You should highlight your qualifications and experience.
2. The resume should avoid focusing on the past and projecting who you are and your capabilities. It should be about “you” and not about your past.
3. The highlight should be on your plans for the future and how you intend to achieve your goals.
4. Instead of listing your job profiles chronologically, your resume should clearly emphasize your accomplishments.
5. The resume should reflect your skills and visions, not just the mundane everyday actions at work.
When you sit down to write or rewrite a resume, put yourself in the shoes of the person who will read the resume and either shortlist you or reject your application. Never use a standard resume for every job application. Rework the resume so it “fits” the job you’re applying for.
There are 10 vital steps that will help you create the perfect resume:
1. First read the job vacancy profile carefully. Then create a “work target”. This only means the position you are applying for.
2. Determine what skills, knowledge, and experience will best follow the job.
3. Create a short list of your qualifications and experience that reflects that you are a suitable candidate for the position. That is, you are able to handle the proposed “work objective”.
4. Draw on your past experience and find accomplishments that show you can take on the responsibilities of the job.
5. On the resume, craft brief accomplishments that highlight your abilities to handle the job you’re applying for. Emphasize how your work benefited your employer.
6. Include a table on your resume that lists the jobs you’ve held in chronological order. Start with the most recent. Include student experience, summer internships, and projects done for free. Explain the time intervals.
7. List your educational qualifications, especially those relevant to the job you are applying for.
8. Make sure the format of the resume is consistent, follow the chronological or functional format. A template for a functional resume is at http://jobstar.org/tools/resume/tempfun.php and the timeline is at: http://jobstar.org/tools/resume/tempchr.php.
9. Include a clear, concise career objective at the beginning of the resume.
10. At the beginning include a summary of the key points.
When in doubt, browse the World Wide Web and read tips and resume formats provided by experts at sites like monster.com and Yahoo jobs .com.
A perfect resume is one that captures the attention of the employer. It must be different from the thousands that will arrive at the employer’s desk. A winning resume is one that says a lot without shouting out loud about your skills and strengths.
Write a summary. Then ask an impersonal stranger to examine it for you. If in doubt seek professional help.