While researching for some resume content, I ran accross this article on Careerrocketeer written by Jessica Holbrook of GreatResumesfast.com . I found it to be to the point and accurate with the resume tips and hints for our readers. I hope you find the information useful.

Ultimately your goal is to create a resume that will garner the right attention and eventually the right job. Problem is – your resume is getting you absolutely no hits, zero feedback, and not so much as one call from a prospective employer. Sound familiar? Keep reading to figure out why.

• Your career summary is boring. It sounds like every other job seeker out there and is a large blanket paragraph that could describe half of the known workforce. Solution: Customize your career summary so that no one else could possibly use it for themselves.
• You have no keywords. The ones you do have aren’t in the right place so while your resume may catch a software system, when an actual recruiter looks at it they pass it over because they can’t find the information they need. Solution: Utilize a core competencies/value added section in the top third of the resume.
• Your resume format is boring, unattractive, juvenile, and mediocre at best. Ouch that one hurt a little didn’t it? After reading thousands of resumes in the past 30 days, every single resume looks exactly the same. No wonder hiring managers only give each resume a five second scan and no wonder you’re getting nowhere. Solution: CHANGE IT UP! Don’t go crazy with your format but do modernize it.
• You’ve neglected to ’stay with the times’ and chosen not to utilize a professional branding statement and value proposition within the top third of your resume. So instead of standing out you’re blending in. How is that working for you? Probably not very well if you’re reading this. Solution: Find your brand, make it work for you. Advertise your value and start garnering attention. I mean the right attention, not the lame scammers who contact everyone who posts their resume on monster.
• The reader couldn’t find your accomplishments if they tried. You have them so buried down deep in the resume – or you didn’t even bother to include them. Now no one knows what the heck you do or how good you are at it. Solution: Bring attention to the BIG. Sell the reader don’t just tell them.
• The language of the resume is so boring people read it to fall asleep. If you are using responsible for, duties included, or speaking in first or third person THIS MEANS YOU. Solution: Spice it up. Ever heard of a thesaurus? Use one. If you are using the same strong action verb in your resume more than twice, that equals BORING. Look up alternatives and use them.

Albeit this has been a comical view of what stinks about your resume take it seriously. I can guarantee you 90% of the people reading this article have at least three of the six points listed above on their resume. When you’re tired of playing with your resume and ready for an expert to help you craft a high-impact, best-in-class resume and cover letter that won’t bore the reader but instead entices them to call – and call immediately then contact us.

Guest Expert:

Jessica Holbrook is an expert resume writer, career and personal branding strategist, author, speaker and President/CEO of Great Resumes Fast. She creates high-impact, best-in-class, resumes and cover letters that win interviews. For a free resume analysis visit http://www.greatresumesfast.com or for a free phone consultation call 1.877.875.7706.

Resume and Documentation

The education and notable sections are very straight forward, they follow a simple format. This is the final aspect of your resume, and doesn’t have to be fancy. Following the same format as you have used for the previous sections, insert information for the education section first. Some ideas to keep in mind:

• In the first line, define the Degree and Major, Institution, City, State and Date the diploma was received. Read more: Resume Education and Work History

  Resume and Documentation

  JeffA

  Published on 18 September 2009

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A cover letter should be formatted like a business memo. It should be short and to the point, summarizing your experience, value and how you will meet the goals of the hiring manager.

To start, be sure to understand a business letter, you want to use the same format. You will want to address the letter to the person that you are sending it to, like Mr. Smith or Ms. Morgan. If you don’t know the name of the person you are sending the resume to, use the title “Dear Sir or Madam”. When using titles like Mr. or Ms., be sure you know the gender of the person, many names can be used for either gender.

Resume and Documentation

Work history should tell a story. When they move between like positions, most people tell the same story over and over, where you think that leaves the reader. Again we are trying to keep the reader interested, and for them to be interested you will have to show them where you started and progressive growth from there until the present. A few things to keep in mind when designing your work history

1. You have to account for all positions, you can leave any out. If you do and they find out either before or after you get the position, your relationship will likely be terminated. Read more: Defining Resume Work History

   Resume and Documentation

   JeffA

   Published on 18 September 2009

   Hits: 71

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