How to Make a Resume that Works

Many people ask how to make a resume that deliver results. My answer often takes them by surprise. Your resume cannot only be “one resume,” you need several that highlight different aspects of your career and use them as reference. I tell them to follow the steps below if they want to learn how to make a resume that works.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Time
• Computer
• Good grammar

1. Have more than one resume. Every resume must be narrowly tailored to the job you are applying for. Having one resume and one thousand copies will only get you one thousand rejections. You should have several resumes to work with, but your final product should be the compilation of your best characteristics for that one specific job.

2. Look at the ad posted by the prospective employer. The ad is simply your most valuable resource. Most employers will outline the characteristics they are looking for in an employee. Your resume should be responsive to the ad showing why you have those same characteristics. If the ad calls for a person that is self motivated, then your resume should show how you have, by self motivation, achieve goals within your prior job. If the ad calls for someone with strong writing skills, your resume should outline how much writing you did in your prior employment.
   For example, if you prior experience has nothing to do with writing, you can modify some of that experience by explaining how you wrote quotes, estimates, sale agreements etc. The fact that your prior experience did not focus on a particular skill does not mean that you did not use it at all. This is perhaps the most important tip that will teach you how to make a resume that will get you a great job.

3. Target their needs. Your resume should show how you learned or developed the skills the employer needs (step 2 above), however, it should also show how those same skills (and other skills you might have) will fulfill the needs of the prospective employer. If you have great customer service experience, you can simply write a sentence on how you believe you can use that skill increase sales for the prospective employer. If for example you can speak a second language, explain how this can lead to increase business and consumer satisfaction. Just about any skill that you have can be portrayed in a way that would benefit a new employer.

4. Limit your resume to one page (unless you are seeking a professional position – lawyer, doctor, engineer, etc). Most employers nowadays do not have time to read a treatise about you. They want to get a quick overview of who you are and what you can do for them. If they are interested, they will give you an interview where they can ask you for more details. If you have more than one page, they will have to separate staples to scan or make copies. Some companies will not read your resume if it is more than one page. Some will only ask you questions right out of your resume, this is why it is very important to learn how to make a resume that you can explain at the interview!

5. Use bullets to make your resume easier to scan. If you are in a competitive field, it is probable that your future employer will be looking at dozens of resumes. They will not want to see a big block of text. You want to make your page flow as much as you can to encourage the reader to read from top to bottom (and see everything you have to say). This will increase your chances of having your resume read twice!

6. Explain gaps in your employment. If for whatever reason you did not work for an extended period of time (more than two months), it is better to approach the issue right in your resume. If you hide it, it will come back up at the interview. In your work history, put the time you were not working for an employer.
   You can list this time as working for yourself, raising a family, selling a business, writing a book, going around the world traveling etc. If you did not work, it does not mean you were unproductive and/or did not develop your skills. If you are up front about it and explain how this experience will be useful to you employer, these “gaps” might be very well what gives you the edge.

7. Remember that you are putting yourself in the best possible light. This means that you are selling your skills and productivity to a possible employer at the same time you are competing against several applicants. This does not mean that you need to misrepresent or be untruthful about your work history and skills. Present yourself in the best possible light without being unethical. You must keep this on mind if you truly want to learn how to make a resume that delivers results.

Tips & Warnings

• Have someone else proofread your resume. Do not submit any mistakes
• Take your time. You can modify your current resume to fit any employer.
• Do not misrepresent any facts. Doing a good selling job does not mean to misrepresent.

[mattsaboy]

on 8/26/2009 Great article. 5 stars. Thanks

[lildutchgirl56]

on 5/30/2009 I didn't know about customizing a resume, but it make sense to do it. Thanks!