Getting a resume right is the top priority for all job seekers, creating that all-important document that will catch a potential employer’s attention and prompt contact is crucial. Today we will be dissecting the resume and review what job seekers absolutely need in a resume to get noticed.
Whether you are looking for a new job, changing careers, or rejoining the workforce, you will need to embark on a resume update. The goal in mind is to get your resume to present the best you, while showcasing your qualifications, your experience, and your abilities. A resume should also tell a story: the story of your career to date, what you have done, how you have done it, what you have learned, and how you can contribute to an organization.
Both chronological and functional resumes need to include the following resume essentials:
Contact Information
You want to make it very easy for whoever is reading your resume to be able to contact you. The most important details (name, address, email, and telephone) go right at the top. You may be tempted to write in small font to save space, but don’t make it too small. When giving out a phone number, ensure there is an answering machine or voicemail for that number. A potential employer does not want to spend too much time calling you. If you miss a call, they can leave a message to which you can promptly reply. Emails should be professional, such as johnsmith@mail.com. It sounds simple, but there are those that can make the mistake of giving out quirky emails like numerounocubsfan@mail.com.
The Objective
Recruiters are spending on average just six seconds looking at a resume; therefore, you have to grab their attention, as the “objective” is your chance to prevent your resume from ending up in the “discard pile.”
The “objective” should clearly state the position you are seeking and also provide one to two sentences of a professional summary that shows how you are the right person for the position. Each position will require a different “objective” that has been crafted specifically for that purpose.
Here’s an example of a standard resume objective:
- To obtain a position at [company name], where I can maximize my [top skills and experience for the position].
That’s the basic line of approach, however, this objective has been used countless times and recruiters have read some variation of this before. This objective still needs to be tweaked to grab the reader’s attention. Here are two examples of attention-grabbing objectives:
- Financial Planner with over fifteen years of experience seeking a managerial position where excellent communication skills and industry knowledge can help increase productivity and meet targets.
- Seeking the position of Personal Assistant, where excellent interpersonal and organizational skills will contribute to the smooth operations of the organization.
These objectives provide the essentials: the position that is sought and what the candidate can contribute, as opposed to what the candidate wants. Recruiters are looking for someone that can fill the position, and creating an objective that speaks to them will get noticed.
Qualifications and Education
For recent graduates, it is best to list your education before experience. This is an asset you want to promote and which employers will review. If it is has been a while since you graduated however, it is best to place education after experience and dates can be left off if you don’t want to give away your age.
If you are looking for a position that has certain qualifications required, place these at the top before experience. When listing your education and qualifications, always show them in order of importance to the position.
Experience
Firstly, the format for showcasing your employment history should go as follows:
The first line is position, company, location, and dates (in years, not months). Your position or job title is the most important piece of information, so make sure it stands out. The next line includes a quick one to three sentence summary outlining your time with the company and mention of any specific information needed or highlights of it.
Now it’s time to go into your position responsibilities in bullet points. Your points need to both show your most important accomplishments as well as your regular responsibilities. Use direct and concise language and choose high-powered action verbs to convey your duties (budgeted, attained, etc.). You don’t need to use full sentences, but it still needs to follow standard grammar rules.
If you have held multiple positions at the same company, don’t cram these positions together. Give each position a separate entry for your resume. Also, if you have experience that is not relevant to the position, but you still think it’s important to include, then you can list this under “Other Experience” with a brief sentence conveying your position, duties, and dates.
References
To list or not to list, that is the question. The jury seems to be out on listing references on the resume. Here are the options to choose from:
- Leave off references entirely and keep a page with references should the organization request them.
- Create a heading and underneath state “References available upon request” and supply reference page upon request.
- Include your references on the resume.
Where to Go from Here
By following these short but simple tips, you can give yourself the best chance that recruiters and potential employers will read your resume and give you that much-coveted interview. Remember, you need to convey that you are the best “fit” for the job and the organization through your resume — no easy task, but one if done well, it will put you miles ahead of all the other candidates.
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