Your Resume Must Tell Employers What They Want to Know
This article was last updated Saturday, September 03, 2011
When writing a resume, there is always the danger that you will become enamoured with your own creation. Even though you want to produce a resume that reads well to you, your opinion is nowhere near as improtant as a prospective employer's viewpoint.
For that reasone, you need to write a resume that tells employers exactly what they want to know. If your resume is does not tell a recruiting manager where you worked, how long you worked there, what your educational background is, what skills you possess, and your general qualifications for a specific position...your resume will quickly end up in the waste bin.
Don't Depend on the Interview to Make Up for Problems With Your Resume
Job-seekers are often satisfied with producing a less-than-perfect resume because they think o they can make up for their resume's flaws with an outstanding job interview. Truthfully, unless you have an excellent resume, you will probably not be selected for any interview at all. Devote time and attention to fine-tuning your resume so that it meets the needs of prospective employers.
Put Yourself in the Employer's Place
To write a good resume, you need to put yourself in the place of the one doing the hiring. His or her eyes may be tired from all the resumes he or she has had to review. Consequently, the employer is probably skimming through the stack looking for people who seem to fit some key concepts that show that they will perform the job effectively and efficiently; they will be an asset to company; and they will dedicate themselves to doing a good job.
Be Sure to Cover the Basics
While it is important to make your resume as brief as you possibly can, it is vital that you include the basic information a prospective employer wants to know. Don't forget to include your e-mail address and cell phone number—two important ways for employers to get in touch with you. You should aslo include your snail-mail address, in case the employer needs you to fill out an additinal forms.
Include a complete post-college job history, a listingof the skills you have that are apply to that particular job, a list of the degrees you've earned and the colleges, universities, and relevant training programs you've attended, and your references. Most prospective employers want to know what your references will say about you and should not be made to take the time to call you and track down names and phone numbers at the last minute. Be as complete as possible with the information you provide about your references. You could provide reference information as an addendum to your resume.
Indicate Why Your Candidacy is Special
Once you've covered the basics, it's highly important that you provide the employer with information that will distinguish your candidacy from the rest of the job applicants. If your resume is overly broad in focus, it will not attract the interest of a corporate recruiter. Instead, consider narrowing your focus by including information about special skill sets you possess, leadership roles you've held, and evidence of your team-building abilities. This information, like the rest of the information on your resume, must be presented in a clear, concise manner—otherwise, the employer will simply move onto the next resume.
Don't Forget the Profile
Prospective employers are interested in your major accomplishments, evidence of your professionalism and your pursuit of excellence. It is an easy matter to include these achievements in a profile section at the beginning of your resume. By reading through the profile quickly, recruiters can get an immediate impression of your suitability for the position that needs to be filled.
What Employers Don't Want to Know
Although each prospective employer is unique, there are certain common viewpoints that most share when reading a resume.
It is a mistake to make your resume "too personal." While you might think this would set you apart from other applicants, this could backfire. One individual who was seeking a government position included the names of his three dogs. Rather than adding to his appeal, his decision to include dog news on his resume proved to be a deal-ender.
For the most part, your resume does not need to explain in great detail why you left a particular position. This can be left for the eventual job interview. It is far easierto talk about your job history in person rather than to try to explain them on paper.
The Intangibles
Proof-read your resume carefully and making sure that it is free from errors. In doing this, you are showing a prospective employer that you have a keen eye for detail. A well-written, professional, easy-to-read resume shows that you have excellent written communication skills. A listing or your community and volunteer activities will show an employer that you have a sense of commitment to bettering the world around you. These intangibles can often determine whether or not you are called in for an interview—or whether your resume is kept on file—never to be seen again.