How to Make Your Resume Appeal to Employers

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By jpwriter
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Article Rating: (6 Ratings)

Write a resume to get the job you want.

A resume is the prospective employer's first look at you. Writing an effective resume is paramount in landing the job that you want. There are key pieces to the resume that appeals to employers, but tend to be left out by job seekers. This can be the difference between your resume going into the garbage or the call back pile. Let's get your resume read.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

computer
paper
envelopes
stamps
email address
contact information

Step 1

Do not make your resume too long. Your prospective employer is not looking for a memoir, but a highlight of your abilities he or she can scan over in less than 30 seconds. Your resume should be between one to two pages to appeal to an employer.
Step 2

Go easy on the eyes by using a font that is at least 12 point and don't get fancy. Employers are not looking for pretty resumes. They want effective and to the point resumes with fonts that are readable. Make the resume look professional. This can be done with spacing and organization on the page. The ability to organize a resume on the page to make if flow will help the person reading it take in your information. It also speaks unconsciously about your skills.
Step 3

Hit them with a succinct career objective at the beginning of your resume. Don't write about your dream job. Don't use unnecessary words.
Step 4

Summarize your qualifications for the job in your resume. Make sure this pops out in your resume. If you are not able to convey your qualifications then an employer is not going to read your resume.
Step 5

Make your resume read like a verb. A verb is about action. Show the employer through your resume what you accomplished. Using action words and goal oriented language is effective. The employer wants to know that you have the ability to achieve. Use specific examples from previous work or experience that shows your performance.
Step 6

Along with the action of the resume you want outcome. Make sure to include what your work produced. The employer wants to see that you are unique, that you can achieve, and that your work for them will produce good results. The best way is to show them through prior experience. Generally speaking, you cannot say, "hire me and you'll see...." You need to show it in the resume.
Step 7

Do not include every job you have had in your resume. If you are looking for a Paralegal or Legal Assistant job then your work in food service is not necessary. Only write what is pertinent to the job you are seeking. You can include knowledge, skills or abilities from past employment not directly related to the job you are seeking in your summary of qualifications as long as it is related.
Step 8

Have someone proofread your resume. If there are typos, grammar mistakes, or the resume is poorly written it will likely be passed up. Do not rely on spell check because there are too many words that get missed.
Step 9

Do not just send in a generic copy resume to each employer. Find out the name of the person who will be reading it if you can. Do some work before you send your resume. Also, do not forget about the cover letter. This is one big mistake people make. They only send in the resume. Don't send your resume naked, give it a cover letter.

Comments

hardworker said

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on 3/4/2009 great tips. this is especially important in the current economic climate. 5* and recommendations

AllFYB said

on 3/3/2009 Great Resume Prep Information 30 seconds is not much time to make an impression!!!

jennen said

on 3/2/2009 Great article... it does take a great resume to land the job... Thanks five stars

sunshine11219 said

on 3/2/2009 Great tips

shannonny said

on 3/1/2009 Great article on submitting a resume--I especially like step 6. There are even templates in Word and other programs for the organization-impaired.