Consider Your Resume's Audience
Kent R.
I was recently working with a client who said he wanted to be sure to keep all of his job responsibilities listed on his resume. This is never a good sign. That may sound a bit harsh, but it's true. I can't tell you how often I see a resume that is merely a series of the job-seeker’s previous job descriptions. It's a tough employment landscape out there, so you've got to raise the bar on how you present yourself. In honor of that, a few resume tips/ideas to keep you focused on what hiring managers and HR want to see:
Accomplishments - plain and simple. In this economy, we need to hire people who get things done. Be sure your resume presents you as an achiever. Think you don't have accomplishments? Think again.
Start Powerfully - Your resume should start with a WOW. Hiring managers and HR want to see something that will grab their attention and provide a strong overview of your broad based attributes. Only in rare situations do I recommend jumping right in with a Work Experience section.
Lean Is Good - No one wants to see everything that you've ever done. A concise resume is important. Make the reader want to learn more (via an interview!).
Think Big Picture - People who make hiring decisions want to be able to see how it is that you can positively impact the company. If your resume communicates that – via the way you present your attributes and work history – you've done your job.
Tips on this topic can be found throughout the blog. If you are interested in more, start here. Also, feel free to shoot off an e-mail if you are stuck. I am happy to help.