Resumé Writing Tips

Most people write resumes because everyone knows you have to have one to get a job. And so they write their resumes reluctantly, to fulfill the requirement. It’s a mistake to think your resume as a history of your past job experiences, or some sort of self-expression. Sure, you have to provide some sort of job history but keep in mind resume is a type of advertisement. It represents you on the paper and it’s a first step towards your dream job. You have to keep it interesting. Imagine, you apply for a job that seems absolutely perfect for you. You send your resume with a cover letter to the employer and several hundred to thousands of people send their resume to the same employer. Now you are facing a great deal of competition. The prospective employer is going through the stack of resume grudgingly, he is bored and sleepy going through different resume with the same templates, objectives, and even skills. Now imagine he is going through your resume and his eyes get wide-awake. He is now reading your resume from beginning to end because it was different and interesting it captured his attention. And sure enough you get a call for an interview another step towards your dream job.

So how do you write this attention grabbing, mind-blowing resume?  Just follow the tips below:

·      Sell yourself – your resume is you on the paper that cannot speak. So you have to make sure you use interesting words that stir emotions.

·      Accuracy – you have to make sure there are no grammatical mistakes, correct address, and a number that is reachable during office hours.

·      Objective – while writing the objective don’t be boring or predictable.  Don’t just write ‘seeking for a job’, include why you are the right candidate for this job.  Persuade them to give you a chance and call you for an interview.

·      Customize – while searching for a job don’t just send the same cover letter and resume to all the jobs you come across from retail to receptionist or any other position. Customize is the word think like an employer read the ad it usually tells you what they are looking for and be sure to include and highlight all the skills and experience related to it in your cover letter and objective. Remember the whole point of a resume is to get an interview. So, persuade them to call you for an interview, make them believe you are the right candidate for the job. Even if you aren’t you have to “fake it till you make it.”

~ Saba Nasim