How to get YOUR résumé into the hands of the decision makers!
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Consider this….
When you apply for a job that seems like a
PERFECT FIT, chances are…
…plenty of other people think the job sounds great
too!
• 200 resumes 1 interview
• Scanned NOT READ!
Your résumé must quickly create interest
and entice an employer into
wanting to know more
about YOU!
What is a Résumé
and what is its
Purpose?
…or is it?
It’s all about
YOU
A well written résumé
stirs the interest of an employer by
speaking to
their needs!
• Does the applicant’s
skills and experience
match our needs?
• Will they fit in with our
corporate culture?
• How long will it take
them to contribute to the
bottom line?
Here’s what they’re looking for:
PROVEN FORMULA
USED IN ADVERTISING
The AIDA Formula:
1. Get Attention 2.Capture Interest 3.Create Desire 4.Call to Action
Attract the reader’s attention
Create a picture of high potential and results
Differentiate you from the competition
Like a great advertisement, your resume should:
Put yourself in the
shoes of the person
doing the hiring. It’s the first and most important step
in writing a résumé that MARKETS
YOU rather than just describes your
work history.
Irrelevant information
Failure to convey
accomplishments
Misspellings, poor
grammar, excess
wordiness
Poor layout and
appearance
Incorrect punctuation
Overly boastful or
obviously dishonest
Lengthy phrases,
sentences, paragraphs
Poorly typed and/or
reproduced
Critical categories
missing
Difficult to understand
Text fails to support
objective or objective
statement is not clear
Excessive use of
jargon and acronyms
The 3 most common résumé formats:
•Chronological
•Functional
•Combination
Which would work best for you?
CHRONOLOGICAL
Recent experience first followed by
previous jobs
FUNCTIONAL
Highlights skills and
accomplishments—takes focus away from employment
history
COMBINATION
Combines Chronological and Functional formats
Résumé Writing 101
Header—this should always appear at the top of your résumé. Include: Name, Address, Phone Numbers, and
appropriate E-mail Address.
Optional Info: Personal blog or web page, LinkedIn
address
If you have a 2nd page, copy and paste your
information there
Objective – Highlights your career goal, the key skills that qualify you, and the benefit you bring to the company. HINT: Decide on 2-3 qualities or abilities that would make YOU a stand out.
Résumé Writing 101
Your Objective in Three Easy Steps Choose one option from each section. Fill in the blanks. Put them together and you have a solid objective that helps make your case. Edit as needed.
Opening Seeking a position as a/an __[specific job title]__ To obtain a position as a/an __[specific job title__ Seeking a/an (pick one) entry level, management, upper management
position as a __[specific job title]__ in __[industry]__
Type of Organization with an organization that values _________ in a thriving business that can benefit from __[name 2-3 strengths/skills]__
Relevant Experience using ___ years of progressive experience in the __[industry]__ field using a solid ___ year education in __[major]__, along with ___ years’ of
experience in the __________ industry using the expertise and skills gained during ___ years in the __________
industry
Now write out your new objective!
Focus on how you would benefit the employer, not on how the employer would benefit you.
Don’t be vague.
Keep it concise and targeted.
More than one career goal? Create a different résumé for each objective.
Your objective is all about what you can do
for the employer—NEVER about what they
can do for you!
THIS IS IMPORTANT!
Profile /Summary of Qualifications
Nothing is more convincing than a specific, concise explanation of your key contributions to your employers.
Incorporate or highlight key achievements Use #s, $s, %s—how well, how much Hint: What are the things you are most
proud of? Don’t generalize!
Résumé Writing 101
Example: Certified Nurse Aide:
• 12 years’ experience as a C.N.A. in home health care, hospital, and nursing home settings
• Outstanding interpersonal communication skills • Extremely knowledgeable of federal and state
healthcare regulations • Passionate about serving others
Résumé Writing 101
Core Competencies—highlighting core skills (optional section)
Project Management Strategic Planning E-Marketing Customer Service Budgeting Public Relations
Don’t be afraid to toot
your own horn!
Résumé Writing 101
Career Experience
Use bulleted action phrases Power pack with action verbs Be specific Use keywords effectively-know your audience Generally go back 10-15 years
- If you have relevant experience, you may go back farther
Education Only use dates if they work for you Remember professional development
seminars, workshops, associations
Résumé Writing 101
Résumé Writing 101
Give it a Professional Look:
Make it visually enticing
Leave white space
Use a font size no smaller than 10 point
Use uniformity with capital letters, bullets, boldface,
italics, etc.
Limit length to 1-2 pages
Proofread—absolutely no typographical errors!
Résumé Writing 101
Other Helpful Hints to Give
Your Résumé a Boost:
1. Keep your statements to 1 or 2 sentences.
2. Don’t use pronouns (I, me, my, we, her, him, them, they)
3. Write professionally—avoid jargon or slang
4. Stay balanced! Too much information will bog down
the reader and remove the mystery
5. Use good quality paper.
Other Helpful Hints to Give
Your Résumé a Boost:
6. Be honest! Don’t use false information or exaggerations!
7. Keep it current: Revise – Revise – Revise!
8. Don’t list family, hobbies, personal interests/activities
unless relevant
9. Proofread (Yes…I mentioned it before!)
A résumé should be a continuous
work in progress!
The old adage,
“If you shoot at everything,
you’ll hit nothing” is so true.
Target Marketing Your Résumé:
An Absolute MUST!
Create more than one resume if you
have varied experience
Tailor your resume to each
employer/job
Use keywords from the job description
The résumé has
one specific
purpose: to win
an interview.
If it doesn’t, it isn’t
an effective résumé.
A great résumé tells the employer: If you buy this
product, you will get these specific results,
direct benefits.
It convinces the employer that you have what it takes
to be successful in this new position or career.
It inspires the
employer to
pick up the
phone and ask
YOU to come in
for an interview.
Effective résumés
take work…
but the payoff
is worth it!
great FUTURE!
REMEMBER:
Creating a
great résumé
is an opportunity to
create a
LIKE WHAT YOU SAW?
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