| 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.
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