It’s no secret that your resume is a relevant sales tool. Every recruiter, hiring manager and decision maker will need a copy of your resume at some point. When making a resume that earns results, there are a few relevant tips to take note of.
Tip #1: Only include relevant content. When making a resume, approach it from the perspective that each and every word needs to serve a purpose. That purpose is dictated by the post you are vying for. What knowledge is required? Which of your skills must be highlighted? Are additional certifications or special talents important?
Your resume needs to highlight your important skills, education and strengths required to efficiently perform the duties of THIS position. (Notice specific emphasis on “this”.) Undoubtedly you have additional strengths, yet as much as you want to show off your additional abilities, keep your content concise.
Tip #2: Every job seeker has three types of skills. These skills include personal, transferable and job related. When making a resume, only transferable and job related skills need to be highlighted. There is no purpose to including your personal skills. These skills are those characteristics innate to you such as being dependable, honest and ethical. Anyone can claim these traits and because you have limited space (1-2 pages) on your resume, you want to include skills that are verifiable and proven.
For example, a possible employer can verify your job title, dates of employment, and sales growth or customer service satisfaction ratings. It is much more difficult to verify your reliability. Leave personal values off of your CV. Instead, have others speak of them through letters of recommendation and testimonials.
Tip #3: When making a resume that provides results, make your content clear and easy to understand. Depending on your experience and employment history, you may find yourself highlighting certifications, training and other information. Be careful not to use abbreviations and industry jargon. Many human resource professionals are not up to speed with industry jargons and you want to eliminate the risk of generating questions about your candidacy.
Formulate your content in a way that takes the guesswork out of your certifications, training and skills for maximum effectiveness.
Making a resume needs thought and purpose. After you draft it, have somebody else proof it to provide you with their opinion. Identify what needs clarification and what may not read well. Make sure it is well suited to the functions listed in the job description.
