Principles of Resume Writing
Creating an effective resume requires an understanding of the basic principles of resume writing. Resumes are first and foremost marketing tools and should be treated as such in both the format and language you use. Resumes are also a way to tell the story of your work experience and accomplishments. Finally, resumes are your only chance to make a good first impression. So put the same care in writing a resume as you would in preparing for a job interview.
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Marketing Tool
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Do not think of your resume as simply a summary of your work history and educational experience. A properly constructed resume markets you, your skills and your accomplishments using clear language. As you list your work experience, focus on highlighting those job experiences that make you stand out as a job candidate. Remember, you are marketing yourself to someone you have never met and to whom you cannot explain anything that is unclear in your resume. Stand out from other applicants by listing your specific skills and important accomplishments. Be clear in your language and formatting.
Research
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A second principle of resume writing is to demonstrate that you are willing to take the time to do background research. Resumes need to be specific to the company and position to which you are applying. Your objective statement should refer to a specific position within the company you seek, not a generic statement about the type of work you'd like to do. Additionally, your cover letter should reference the company and state specifically why you are interested in working there and how your skills will match their specific needs. Take the time to demonstrate that you are willing to do a little extra research work to stand out.
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Growth
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You want your resume to demonstrate consistent growth in both skills and responsibilities. Use hard numbers such as sales figures, outcome numbers and clients-served counts to show a steady growth in your productivity. Highlight successful projects where your involvement made a difference. Be certain that, as you list your job history, you are able to demonstrate increased responsibility and productivity.
Keywords
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Study the job advertisement to help you determine what keywords to highlight in your resume. A key principle of resume writing is to relate your resume to the specific position you seek. For example, if the job you seek requires proficiency in a particular software application tool, ensure that the tool is mentioned in your resume. Similarly, if a job requires you to lead a team, use words such as team leader, team supervisor or team manager in your resume to describe previous job responsibilities.
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References
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