Your resume will generally receive a 15- to 30-second scan upon first review by an employer. With that in mind Carlos Correa Jersey , it is critical that your resume -- your "paper handshake" -- makes a positive first impression and compels the reader to put your resume in the "yes" pile and possibly call you in for an interview.
Before you circulate your resume, you will want to ensure it incorporates the basic characteristics of a powerful, interview-generating resume. When evaluating your resume you can follow the same basic steps as professional resume writers. This will increase the chances not only of having it placed into that "yes" pile, but also of helping it rise to the top of the stack.
STEP 1: Ask yourself, "Is my resume in the correct format to best showcase my career history?"
Is your resume the appropriate length, format Nolan Ryan Jersey , and formality for the position you are targeting?
Length: For someone with five or more years of experience, a resume will typically be one to two pages. It isn't at all uncommon for executive-level resumes to be as long as three or four pages. If you are a recent college graduate one page may suffice, but don't be afraid to go two pages, particularly if you have some work, internship, or volunteer experience under your belt.
Format: There are three common types of resumes: chronological Craig Biggio Jersey , functional, and combination. A chronological resume calls attention to your employment history in reverse chronological order. It is most effective when your job listings are notable (position titles andor company names) and are directly relevant to the job target.
A functional resume de-emphasizes positions, job descriptions, and employment dates. It organizes qualifications by related skills or experience. Job seekers who have gaps in employment or who are making a career change commonly use functional resumes. Think carefully before using this format as feedback from hiring authorities suggests that they don't like them -- they know that functional resumes can be used to minimize, or even hide, periods of unemployment and other flaws in your history.
A typical combination resume is just that -- a blend of the other two formats. It begins with a powerful Qualifications Summary or Professional Profile that clearly communicates your functional skills. This allows your resume to be focused toward particular positions andor industries Jeff Bagwell Jersey , and provides a platform to communicate the your best qualifications. A reverse-chronological listing of employment experience (including responsibilities and, more importantly, relevant accomplishments) follows. The combination format is a popular choice among professional resume writers as it is particularly effective in selling their clients to employers.
A fourth type of resume, which won't be discussed at length here, is the Curriculum Vita. A "CV" is a conservatively written and designed document that emphasizes educational credentials, academic research and projects Wholesale Houston Astros Jerseys , publications, presentations, awards, and honors. This format is typically used in scholastic, medical, and scientific fields.
Formality: A good rule of thumb is to write using the same level of language that you would be expected to use in the job you are targeting. An entry-level resume can include brief sentences. If you are a manager or executive your resume will be more narrative -- to draw a complete picture of your career successes and contributions -- and include vernacular expected at your level of accountability.
STEP 2: Ask yourself Wholesale Astros Jerseys , "Is my resume visually appealing and easy to read?"
Have you incorporated appropriate font type and size selections throughout your resume? Depending on the font choice, the size should fall somewhere between 9 and 11 point, 12 point at most. Section headings can be larger, of course. As for font type, the higher your level of responsibility, the more likely it is that you will use a serif font (such as Times New Roman Cheap Houston Astros Jerseys , Garamond, or Palatino). It is acceptable to combine fonts, but never more than two (for example, Times for the section titles and Arial for the content).
Does your resume contain sufficient white space? Your challenge is to draw the reader's attention to essential information. Using white space effectively can help you do just that. You'll need to become familiar with some features of your word processing software that you might not normally access (such as the paragraph, line-spacing, and tab settings).
Does your resume implement appropriate design elements? Conservative use of lines Cheap Astros Jerseys , bolding, italics, and bullets can be very effective. When used consistently, they will help the reader along in your thought process and crystallize the organization of your resume.
For great ideas on contemporary formats, check out one or more of the recently released resume resource books at your local bookstore. One of the best out there is Resume Magic--Trade Secrets of a Professional Resume Writer by Susan Britton Whitcomb (JIST Works). For executive-level ideas, Wendy Enelow's Best Resumes for $100 Astros J. R. Richard Jersey ,000+ Jobs (Impact Publications) or Donald Asher's Bible of Executive Resumes (Ten Speed Press) are both outstanding.
STEP 3: Ask yourself, "Does my resume contain a powerful opening section that draws the reader in?"
Is the most relevant information you want to communicate showcased in a powerful Qualifications Summary or Professional Profile in the Step 4: Ask yourself, "Does my resume effectively communicate my value to the prospectiv