How Does
How Does a Person Make a Resume Stand Out?
Organization
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A resume is the first chance an employer has to decide whether you, as a job candidate, are appropriate for the position at hand. Hundreds or thousands of resumes may be submitted for the same position, and if they contain errors it can be an automatic dismissal of the candidate(s). But poor organization is also a deal breaker, as many who review resumes are working on a finite time schedule. Searching around for information or information simply not being present will also lead to a candidate not being considered. The order of information should be as follows:
Who you are: Name, address, contact information (phone, email) at top. If you have a less than professional email address, open another account and use it exclusively for your applications.
Education: Include any degree obtained or pertinent coursework. The institution, course of study, years of attendance or graduation date should also be included. The most recent should be first.
Work experience: The most recent place of employment should be first, and all other work history should follow. Remember to go in descending order and include three to four bullet points on what the most important duties were. Include any computer programs or special skills you acquired.
Volunteer experience: If any, list your volunteer experience in descending order. Include only basic information; name of organization, its purpose and the year(s) you served.
Edit and Review
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After your resume has been organized properly, be certain to review it thoroughly. The first rule of thumb is to check spelling. It is surprising how many candidates turn in resumes with spelling mistakes. Also, be certain that you read and reread your resume at least five times before sending it out. Spell-check doesn't catch everything, as many words may be spelled correctly, but used inappropriately. Many involved in the hiring process may not eliminate a candidate due to the wrong usage of "their, there or they're" but many may indeed do so.
Also, be certain to de-clutter your resume. Overly-long resumes can be a turn-off. Even the best resumes should not be more than one page long, unless the work detailed is pertinent to the application at hand. If you do have a particularly long job history, include only positions held within a certain period. For instance, only examine the past five to 10 years or include information in your cover letter explaining the gaps. If your resume is impressive enough and you are chosen, you will have an opportunity to explain your complete history in the interview.
Seek out Feedback
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Even after your resume has been arranged and edited, have another read through conducted by a friend or trusted co-worker. Many times, as with all writing, an individual may not see his own mistakes. Also, what stands out to you as important or necessary may not pop in the same fashion to another individual. Listen to the criticism you receive, and if you are unsure as to the validity of the critique, seek out another reviewer.
Always make a resume standout by utilizing an eye-catching yet professional font, bold for emphasis on your name and heads and subheads, and bullets for organization and a clean look. Remember, your resume is all you have to represent yourself initially to an employer. Take the time to make it unique, while simultaneously maintaining a level of professionalism.
eHow Article: How Does a Person Make a Resume Stand Out?
