Writing Resumes

Writing your resume can be a hassle, sitting in front of a blank page, not even knowing where to start. We just want to get our work history down and forget it. The problem is that potential employers are not as much interested in your work history as they are in how you might solve their problem. This is an important thing to note, because you want to put yourself in the best possible light to the employer. So, you need to tailor your resume around your prospect's need. This is critical if you want your resume to be given a fair consideration. Remain boring and uninteresting, where the employer has to figure out whether or not you are a good candidate for the position, and they will give up quickly and move on to the next resume. You must make your resume targeted. You are selling yourself, and thus, you need to show up front how you are the right candidate, the only candidate that can solve their problem.

This is why on resumes I write for my customers, I try to highlight their accomplishments at the top, and then their work history. If your prospective employer cannot see how you may potentially solve their problem at the beginning of your resume, they are not very likely to read the rest of it, to see if they are missing something. An “objective” heading is important if you lack the experience. A “summary” heading is what you want if you have the experience.

For your accomplishments, you want to avoid vague language. Better still, would be specific numbers. For instance, if the computer program you wrote cut company costs, then don't just say you wrote a computer program to cut company costs, say by how much you cut costs. Don't lie, or come up with a figure entirely in your head, make sure your data is verifiable. You might need to contact a previous employer and ask for a specific number. It is much stronger to say that you cut costs by five percent than to say you cut costs.

Make sure you are honest and accurate in your specific figures. If you want to say something about an accomplishment without specific numbers, because either specifics do not apply or because you cannot obtain specific numbers, make sure what you say is not exaggerated. Exaggerated speech is quickly sniffed out, and projects you as being arrogant.