Developing a Resumé is the first step in any successful job search.
The average Resumé is written out of necessity: Everyone knows you have
to have one to get a job.
In fact, most employers require a Resumé before accepting any
application, regardless of the position or its pay. You need a Resumé,
and you need it now. Time is of the essence in today's job market.
While hundreds of jobs come open every day, their average life span-and your
window of opportunity-has now become a matter of weeks. Employers can't afford
losses in productivity, so they need to fill open positions as quickly as
possible.
That means opportunities can (and most certainly will) arise unexpectedly.
You must be prepared for anything at any time. Having a Resumé handy from
the outset of a job search enables you to take advantage of what may come along
the way.
When you're hunting for a job, the Resumé is your introduction. An
effective Resumé gets employers interested in making person-to-person
contact with you.
Research suggests that most Resumés are scanned very quickly - for
less than a minute. Thus, the decision to interview a candidate is usually based
on an overall first impression of him or her.
The Resumé must clearly, concisely and strategically present your
qualifications, and show how you can help employers solve the problems they
currently face in their business. In short, you must prove your worth as a
potential employee in order to progress to the interview stage of the job
search.
Your Resumé is one way of communicating the value you offer a
perspective employer and of differentiating yourself from the field of job
seekers.
Therefore, your Resumé needs to convey three things to those who read
it:
You have the skills, talent and personal qualities to accomplish those
things that are important to an employer.
You have a history of training, accomplishments and/or experience to
substantiate this claim.
You will be an asset to the organization insofar as you facilitate its
operations, have positive work attitudes and get along with others.
The Resumé is part employability profile and part promotional device.
To write effective Resumés, you must learn how to write powerful yet
subtle advertising copy. You have to sell yourself.
Remember: Employers are hiring you, not a piece of paper. Think of the
Resumé as a personal advertisement, which promotes you and what you can
do - those qualities enabling you to produce tangible results in the
workplace.
This Resumé-writing guide is intended to help you sort out, clarify
and describe your qualifications to prospective employers. It is designed to
help you think about and address employers' real needs so that you can convey to
them how and why you're a truly exceptional candidate for the job.
Contact Information
(Name, Address, Phone Number, E-mail, Fax Number)
Directions: Please fill out your contact information, as you want it to
appear at the header of your Resumé. Look over the information you're
giving carefully--every letter and digit counts!
In most cases, it's best to use your legal name, which is the one that
appears on your school records and social insurance card. You don't want to
confuse employers by using several versions of your name, and you want them to
be able to readily access your records from previous employers, educational
institutions, etc.
The phone number you list is important. This is how employers contact you.
Therefore, it is advisable to give a number where you can be reached, either
in person or by machine, between the hours of 8am and 5pm, Monday through
Friday. You don't want employers to discard your Resumé because they can't
reach you.
