How to create an outstanding resume that gets results

Competition in today's rough economy and tight job market is very tough. And so a standard resume just won't cut it. Today, you need an outstanding one. But how do you do it? This article, written by the author of the newly released book "Think Like an Inverviewer: Your Job Hunting Guide to Success," will give you some great advice!

Instructions

1. **Keep it focused**

   I've helped many people over the years put together resumes. And one thing I've noticed is that some don't keep their resumes focused on what they're looking for.

   In other words, it's a jumbled mass of information that seems to say a little about this and a little about that. But there's no real connection between them. And this makes you look bad to an employer? Why? Because a disorganized resume indicates a disorganized worker. And who wants to hire someone that's disorganized? Nobody!

   So whatever you put on your resume, make sure it relates 100% to the kind of work you're seeking! If it doesn't, then leave it off.

2. **Have a clear and concise objective**

   If you choose to use an objective, and that's a personal choice, make sure it's very clearly focused. In other words, it has to convey exactly what you mean and what you want to say!

   So how do you accomplish this? By writting a quick statement of what kind of work you're seeking. For example, if you're looking for work in a bank, then you can have an objective that clearly mentions you want to work in the financial services industry.

   This tells me (the employer) exactly what you're looking for. And it lets me know you understand that banking is part of the financial services industry. So you're looking good in two respects. First, you've told me exactly what you want. And second, you've shown knowledge of the financial services business. Both of these are impressive!

3. **Avoid specific titles in your objective**

   The reason I suggest you not put a specific job title in your objective is because of two reasons. One, it drastically limits what an employer will consider you for. How? By saying you want that and nothing else! So perhaps I have another job that I think you'd be perfect for. But since your objective says otherwise, I'll discount you. So you've lost out on something you may have wanted without even knowing it!

   Second, job titles can and do vary company to company. By including a title that my company doesn't use shows me you don't know how my company works. Nor did you even take the time to find out what job titles we use. How can you know? One way is to visit our website and look at our directory. Most often, they'll give you people's job titles.

   So in my opinion, you don't look good and can be cutting yourself out of potential opportunities you may have wanted. Therefore, I suggest not mentioning specific job titles in your objective.

   What can you do? You can reference a category, like supervisory or managerial. This opens up far more opportunities because there are various levels of supervisors and managers. So it lets me know you want a managerial position, but it's up to me to decide which specific one and at what level. Now you look better and haven't cut yourself out of anything.

4. **Make your work experience stand out**

   What I mean here is to make sure you don't use lots and lots of paragraphs. Why not? Because nobody is going to spend the time to read them! We're busy and won't waste our valuable time, so you've cut yourself out right off the bat.

   Instead, use bullets and short sentences to concentrate your abilities and experiences. This makes you look like a true professional. How? Because you're showing the ability to make a specific point. And you're acknowledging the fact that my time is valuable and need not be wasted. These impress!

5. **Bullet types**

   For most office jobs, you don't need the fanciest bullets, nor ones in different colors. Yes, they can make your resume standout from others, but in the wrong way in my opinion. We wouldn't send a customer a letter with fancy bullets and color ones. So you're showing you don't know how most business correspondance is put together.

   However, in some cases, using fancy bullets and colors are acceptable. For example, a fashion designer. With this, creativity is an important element to display. Use of color and something more "fancy" is an excellent way to convey this. And that would make you look good!

   TIP: If you decide to use fancy bullets and/or color, be careful not to overuse it! Doing so will accomplish the exact opposite of what you want. And that's because it'll stand out more than your information. It's your info that should be the most prominent on your resume!

6. **Date format**

   I've had to correct this mistake on many resumes from people. They'll list their experience and/or education from the earliest to the most recent. That's the exact opposite of how it should be!

   Employers are backward looking. This means they want to see your most recent experience and/or education first. So make sure you list both of those in reverse date order. In other words, the most recent one comes first. Followed by the next most recent, etc.

   For example, suppose I worked in 3 jobs. One was in 2001, the next was from 2002 to 2003, and the last one was from 2004-present. The proper ordering on a resume is as follows:

   a) 2004-Present
   b) 2002-2003
   c) 2001

   So make sure you work in reverse! And remember, this also applies with your education. Your most recent schooling comes first.

7. **Mention any accomplishements or awards**

   If you've been recognized in some fashion, and feel it's relevant in some way to the kind of work you're seeking, then make sure you put it on your resume. Why? Because not everbody gets recognized or awarded. Your having been shows me you're a good worker, and that makes you look very impressive!

   TIP: The same applies to your education. If you've made the Dean's List, that's an accomplishment. In other words, you did better than others and received the recognition you deserved.

   So this applies to both your work experience and your education.

8. **Where to put accomplishments and awards**

   In step 7, I mentioned that you should display on your resume any sort of recognition that is related to what you're looking for. But one thing I didn't mention is where on your resume that should go.

   This is a personal choice. Some will put it with the company or school where they got it. Others will put it with their skills. So where exactly should it go?

   I suggest putting it in a separate section, if possible. Why? Because it makes it standout better! In other words, it draws more attention to the fact you've been recognized for doing well. That can help an employer see it beforehand. And could increase the chances of getting an interview.

9. **Make sure your cover letter and resume jive**

   I've seen this mistake made by many job seekers. They'll have a generic cover letter and a specific resume. Or vice-verse. Big mistake!

   You want your resume's focus to be matched to that of your cover letter. In other words, they should both have the same objective and focus on the same type of work.

   And be sure you double-check to make sure the information in your cover letter matches your resume. I've seen people with differences in dates or work history. As an employer, I'll question which one is correct? It's possible, I maybe wonder if you're being honest with me. Or think you don't double-check things for accuracy. Either way, you look bad!

10. **Keep your resume to 1 or 2 pages**

    There's no reason, except for certain types of jobs, to have a resume beyond one or two pages. In other words, that's more than enough space to tell me what you can do, and why I want to learn more about you.

    It's best to fit everything onto one page whenever possible. But if you've got say 20-30 years experience, then you may have to go beyond that. But having under 10 years experience is no reason to go beyond a single page in my opinion. One page should be sufficient to detail enough of what you can do for me.

    However, in academia, it's very common to have resumes that go well beyond this limitation. And that's due to the nature of the business. We like to see "everything" you've done. For example, a listing of publication, classes you've taught, etc.

    But for the vast majority of jobs, that 1 to 2 page limit should be adhered to.

11. **Paper choice**

    You don't want to use standard typing paper, which is 20 lb. Why? Because it's too thin and is of lesser quality. So I suggest using 24 lb paper as a minimum. This is a stronger one that conveys more professionalism. In other words, quality paper = quality employee!

    As for the color you choose, that's a personal choice. Standard ones include: Ivory, Gray, White, and Off-White. For most positions, these are acceptable and the best choice.

    However, for a job like a fashion designer, you can use a more "fancy" color choice if you'd like. This can be used to convey your creative side and make you look better to an employer. But be ever-mindful of the color you choose!

    In other words, if you decide to use a non-standard color, make sure it's one that fits in with the profession and the sense you'd like to convey.

Tips & Warnings

• Check and recheck your resume for mistakes and ommissions

• Use action and power words to add impact

• Be the professional you are!