The purpose of a résumé is to relay your accomplishments and qualifications to an employer. A résumé lists in one place everything you have done in your career, so an employer can scan through it quickly to see if you a match for a position.
The perfect résumé is focused, clear, and written well. Here are some tips to crafting it successfully:
Include your full contact information.
Include your objective and position wanted. This objective will let the employer know what position you are seeking and will keep you on task as you write or update your résumé.
Include all of your past positions. If you do not want prospective employers to know where you are currently working, leave it out, and put down something like, "Top Fortune 500 Company" or "Small boutique firm." If you have more than twenty years experience, you can list positions before that time as bullets or a note that reads, "Additional work history can be provided upon request."
Include volunteer work. Work is work, whether you have been paid for it or not.
Include the results you've achieved. Use percentages and dollar amounts. For example, you increased production by 25 percent. You made $500,000 for your company. You reduced turnover by 50 percent. Numbers make your résumé stand out and pop for the reader.
Include education and awards received.
Be clear and concise. Know what you want to say before you craft a new résumé or update your current one.
Make a note where gaps exist. If you were let go, make a note of that on the résumé. If you took a break, were out of work for a while, did consulting assignments or temp work, note that on the résumé. Anything that seems out of place will be questioned by the reader. Don't expect to be able to explain yourself. You don't want to be passed by because someone had an unanswered question or reservation about you.
Choose a chronological or functional format and stick with the one chosen.
Be consistent. If you spell out a month for one position, do the same for all positions.
If you use periods at the end of bullets, use periods for all.
Use a font sized 11 or bigger.
Leave some white space or your résumé will look too crowded.
Proofread your résumé and eliminate typos.
Don't include personal references or hobbies.
Don't include your Social Security number.
Don't exaggerate your experience or lie.
Don't include your salary.
Don't be the only one who reviews your résumé before you send it out. It's important to have another pair of eyes (or several pairs) to give you feedback. If you get conflicting opinions, go with what feels right for you.
Don't think you have to get your résumé together on your own. It's OK to hire a professional to write it for you.
Your résumé is a promotional piece about you, and is your opportunity to shine and impress employers. If you are a match for a position, an employer will bring you in for an interview. If you have less than what an employer is looking for, you will be seen as underqualified. If you have more than what the employer is looking for, you will be seen overqualified. No one is going to give you a chance to explain yourself. If you want a job, it's up to you to prove that you can do it. Your résumé is your proof.
