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Resume Writing Tips
Should my resume exceed one page?
It's not recommended that your resume exceed one page, but if it does, it should be trimmed down to include only the most relevant points you want to make. Also, decreasing your margins will give you more space on the first page so that you don't run over to a second or third page. Some other suggestions: don't list all of your interests, hobbies, etc. if it doesn't apply to the position you're interested in; make sure you haven't been redundant in listing your responsibilities.
What email addresses are acceptable to list on my resume?
We all have personal email addresses, and some of them are a bit racier than others. Email accounts can be setup for free with Yahoo, Hotmail, and others. Get an account name that is a combination of your first and last name for utmost professionalism. It says something about your professionalism when a client receives your resume from an account like hotstuff@xyz.com.
What format should I use on my resume?
Your resume format should be written in easy to read font - Times New Roman is most commonly used. The characters should be set at 11 or 12 point. Your resume should be in chronological order with the most recent employment history listed on top. It should include the name of the organization, your title, dates of employment, and a list of responsibilities. Never print your resume on colored paper or use colored font as it only makes it more difficult to read and may not present as well.
Should I list my responsibilities in bulleted or paragraph format?
This is a tricky one. The answer is, it really depends. If you can spare the room, listing by bullet points is the best option because it is the easiest to read. Remember that employers are generally looking at dozens sometimes hundreds of resumes each day and they really need to be able to understand your background in a matter of minutes. You should make an effort to always draw parallels between your experience and the requirements of the position you're applying to.
How can I be sure that my resume will attract the employer?
Be sure to use key words that employers may be searching for specifically such as product names. Most employers are likely to enter your resume in their database and pull it up again during a search as more positions become available. Also use descriptive and POWER words throughout your resume so that it comes across as strong and professional.
Examples of power words:
Accelerate
Accomplish
Achieve
Acquire
Administer
Advise
Analyze
Appraise
Arrange
Assist
Audit
Augment
Author
Budget
Build
Calculate
Catalogue
Coach
Compare
Compile
Complete
Compose
Conceive
Conceptualize
Conduct
Consolidate
Construct
Consult
Control
Convert
Convince
Coordinate
Correspond
Counsel
Create
Cultivate
Delegate
Deliver
Determine
Develop
Devise
Dispatch
Distribute
Document
Designate
Design
Diagnose
Direct
Demonstrate
Empower
Engineer
Elicit
Establish
Estimate
Enhance
Examine
Exceed
Evaluate
Expand
Explain
Execute
Gather
Generate
Formulate
Head
Hire
Guide
Implement
Improve
Identify
Influence
Initiate
Increase
Inspect
Install
Innovate
Instruct
Interpret
Institute
Maintain
Manage
Lead
Mediate
Modify
Manufacture
Motivate
Negotiate
Monitor
Operate
Order
Obtain
Overhaul
Patent
Organize
Persuade
Perform
Plan
Prepare
Present
Preside
Process
Produce
Proficient
Program
Promote
Propose
Provide
Purchase
Quantify
Qualify
Recognize
Recommend
Reconcile
Refer
Regulate
Reorganize
Repair
Replace
Report
Represent
Rescue
Research
Restore
Review
Revise
Schedule
Screen
Select
Serve
Simplify
Solve
Steer
Streamline
Study
Suggest
Supervise
Supply
Systemize
Teach
Test
Trace
Track
Train
Transcribe
Translate
Update
Utilize
When writing your resume, remember the Top 10 qualities that employers seek are:
Communication skills (verbal and written)
Honesty/integrity
Teamwork skills (works well with others)
Interpersonal skills (relates well to others)
Motivation/initiative
Strong work ethic
Analytical skills
Flexibility/adaptability
Computer skills
Organizational skills
Is it enough if I use the Auto Spell Check on my resume?
No. You should always proofread your resume since Spell Check will not catch errors on all capped words and words that are misused. For example, Spell Check does not know if you've misused the words "they're", "their", or "there".
Should I use past or present tense throughout my resume?
It's recommended that you used present tense for a current position and past tense for all previous positions.
Should I write an objective on my resume?
Absolutely. This will let the employer know that you know what you want and are goal oriented. Be specific and tailor your objective to the job you're applying to.
Should I include a cover letter with my resume?
Yes. A cover letter can't hurt - even though not everybody reads it. However, for those employers who do read a cover letter, it could make the difference between getting them to call your or not. A cover letter should always indicate which position you're applying to, a brief summary of your background, and most importantly, why you're a good fit for the position.
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