How to Sell Yourself Through a Resume

Your resume can be the difference between getting your ideal job or being forced to keep looking. It is an employer's first impression of you as a potential employee. By asking yourself if you would make the hire based on your own resume, you can eliminate many issues and effectively sell yourself with your personal written marketing tool.

Instructions

1. List the work experience that best corresponds to the position for which you're applying. Tailor your resume for each job you apply for.

2. Remove the objective and take out the line that says "references available upon request." These 2 sentences are obvious and aren't needed.

3. Use design elements such as bullet points and dividing lines. The old 1 page rule is now obsolete, so don't worry about trying to fit everything onto a single page. The spell check is a very effective tool to use, and it can help prevent embarrassing grammatical mistakes, but make sure to proofread for things a spell checker can't catch.

4. Design your resume in such a way that makes you excited about being interviewed. The first page should be a list of skills, a couple of previous employers and all of the applications you are experienced in using. The second page should go back to your history of employment. Make sure to include a section for education and any additional information that the employer would need to know. Unless you are a recent college graduate, do not list high school education.

5. Utilize action verbs such as "implemented," "managed," "organized" and "performed."

6. Include extra-curricular activities that will show leadership and teamwork. These examples are valued by prospective employers.

7. Provide the employer with copies of recommendations, certificates and references. Include the title, full name and phone number for each reference. Also, make sure your references are aware they are listed. This eliminates the possibility of your reference being caught unprepared if the employer attempts to make contact.