Resume Tips

Tips for getting it right….

• The Resume represents the candidates’ best attempt to summarise, synthesise and communicate their proposition in the market place. It usually serves as the first impression for the head-hunter/employer. First impressions count.
• Your resume is a strategic document.  Sell yourself…what is the job that you are applying for? Use that key information in the job advertisement to structure your resume.
• The front page should be designed so that readers can attain an instant fix on the candidate rather than having to search back and forth for information. Make it easy to read with headlines and bullet points.
• Put relevant and put the most  important information at the front of the resume. Think ‘dynamic’ in how you present your work history and skills.
• Use positive language when describing yourself and your achievements.  Did you reduce  costs? Increase efficiency and productivity? Did you initiate or streamline a process? Use ‘action’ words eg. acquired, initiated, restructured.
• Most recent experience to have greater weighting within resume.
• Tabular information is useful for demonstrating professional summary, dates, organisation, title, number of staff, title of immediate boss. It demonstrates an ability to present information in an efficient and logical manner. As most Resumes do not present tabular information it acts as a differentiator.
• If you are listing ‘Interests’ ensure that intellectual interests of relevance to the role are included eg. Financial Markets, Investments, Current Affairs.
• Reason for leaving – relevant if candidate has had many jobs within a relatively short time-frame. Standard reason is “headhunted”.

Some deadly errors….

• AAAaaaahhhh…..all that time and effort agonising over your resume and how to sell yourself can go out the window, down the gurgler and into the ether if you have spelling errors (especially if it is the Company name). So check your work and then  re-check and then get a  friend to check it.
• Another thing to avoid ….. floral backgrounds on your resume or fancy font. You want to stand out for the right reasons. Sell yourself through your education, experience and accomplishments.