5 Steps To A Successful Resume

1. Choose Your Format Correctly - There are two main resume formats - chronological and functional. If you are seeking a job in a field in which you already have work experience, you will probably want to choose a chronological format where you will be able to showcase your job history. If, however, you want to transition into a different field, you definitely need to use a functional format. This will allow you to focus on your strengths and transferable skills and not box yourself into a certain field.

2. Be Specific - Too often, I see resumes with experience stated this way, "Sold used vehicles" or "Negotiated claim settlements." Use real numbers to improve your resume. "Sold 20 used vehicles in first 3 months of employment" or "Increased overall customer satisfaction by 25% in claim settlement negotiations."

3. Be Accurate - Don't stretch the truth just to impress. Make sure you use completely accurate numbers in your claims. You cannot build a solid career on a shaky foundation.

4. Be

Precise - Always proofread your resume. Spelling, grammar, or punctuation errors will disqualify you quicker than anything. A well crafted resume is an essential tool in the job search process. Find someone else to proof it for you as well. Often, other people will catch something you overlooked.

5. Be Brief - Be careful to write a resume that is not "wordy" or "superfluous." It is very obvious to anyone reading one of these resumes that there is not much substance to them. Make each word count.

Ultimately, even a well crafted resume rarely gets you hired by itself. Click here for more info on the 3 Step Job Search Process that always gets results.

To access the links in this article, go to www.careercalling.com/Archives.htm and read the February 25, 2005 edition of The Coach's Career Tips and Resources!

About the Author

Jonathan R Taylor is the author of The Coach's Career Tips and Resources. He helps his clients Love Their Work! You can subscribe at www.careercalling.com/ssubscribe.htm.

African American Women Get No Respect at Work

Recently, an article published in the University ofPennsylvania's Wharton School of Business newsletter began withthe following statement:

"By choosing self-employment over working for a .....

Age-Proof Your Resume

Older job hunters fear interviews where their age cannot be concealed and where an initial response of dismay on an interviewer's face, quickly hidden, confirms their anticipation of discrimination. The mature job seek.....

AGEISM IN THE WORKFORCE

FIRST there was sexism, then there was racism, now another ?ism? is poised to cause more headaches for South Wales employers ? including how they word their job ads.

The Government is currently asking people f.....

Aggressively Written Resumes

When writing resumes, it is important to remember whom it is you're trying to please - (is it you, or the hiring authority?) In this article I will present my ideas of what makes up really aggressive documen.....

Airline Customer Service Careers

The US airline industry is gradually moving away from all thebloodletting that brought about the bankruptcy of four majorcarriers over the past several years while at the same timemarked the emergence of many.....