Ten Tips for Writing a Great Resume

Let's say you go on 100 job interviews. Each time you are the second choice for hiring. What term will describe you?” Unlucky? Unqualified? A good sport? A bad interviewer? Although there may be some truth in these answers, the correct answer is really something that is much more fundamental. The correct answer is, “unemployed”.

It is doubtful that somebody would go for 100 interviews and not get a job. Dumb luck would defy those odds. However it is more likely that someone might submit 100 resumes without getting a single phone call. Why? The reason the resume is being passed on is quite elementary — they do not understand the purpose for the resume.

Finding a job today involves the following steps:

1. Locate a job posting for which you are qualified.

2. Submit your resume.

3. Have your first interview, which could be your phone call to schedule a face-to-face interview.

4. Have a second interview, perhaps being requested to complete a pre-employment assessment.

5. Have a third interview.

6. Receive a job offer.

7. Negotiate benefits.

8. Accept the offer.

The problem people have in finding a job is that they forget the purpose of the resume. When filling out a resume people want to list every qualification and significant achievement of their career. They feel they have to have every tidbit of information included so the screener in the Human Resources Department will know without doubt that they are the one to hire. In effect they want to move right from step two to step six. The reality is that this will never happen.

Case in point: one of the most successful television shows of all time focused on the escapades of a housewife whose husband was a renowned showbiz icon. The starring role was quickly cast with one of the brightest comedians of the day, particularly because the show was her concept. She made a recommendation for her costar, a well-known musical entertainer. However the network executives had their doubts as to this individual's ability to act, particularly in a comedy. Despite the fact that in real life he was her husband, the network required the actor to audition. Even then they wanted to cast someone else. If Desi Arnaz had this much difficulty landing the job to play himself on the “I Love Lucy” show imagine how you are going to land a job without going through the interview process. Odds are tremendously against you.

The key thing to remember about the steps above is that the purpose of each step is only to get you to the next step, but not to leap it. This means the only purpose of your resume is to get the interview. Understanding the mindset of the screener is crucial to compiling a proper resume. Let's look at the two types of screeners used by employers in today's marketplace.

Human Screeners

First there is the human being. This is the person who receives resumes via fax or mail. They must review every resume they receive. Think for a minute about the average job opening. This human being may have to review hundreds of resumes. For sheer survival the person will look at a resume cosmetically at first. This visual surveillance will key in on some standard, predictable elements. Follow the tips for maximum success at getting selected by the human screener:

1. Use Numbers. A screener's eyes are automatically drawn to numbers. Knowing this you can use numbers to draw attention to specific points in your resume. For example, instead of saying, “managed a high volume call center” say “efficiently managed a call center receiving an average of 19,000 customer contacts per week”. Notice how your eyes are drawn to the 19,000 figure. The screener's eyes will be unconsciously attracted to the number. Here's an added note: don't be concerned if you don't know the exact number — give your best guess estimate.

2. Prioritize Your Accomplishments. Some people feel it necessary to list on all their accomplishments when they write their resume. When a resume is reviewed by human being they will unconsciously read the first two or three bullet points or the last two or three bullet points. Because your goal is to get a job interview you want to make sure they read bullet points specifically pertinent to the job they are offering. With that in mind, never list more than the top three accomplishments or skill sets for any given employer.

3. Timeliness. There is a never-ending question about how far back you go chronologically when forming a resume. Experts will tell you that 10 years is sufficient. However in talking with many job seekers they have more diversity in their experience if they go back further. So here's the rule of thumb to use — it's all about being on one page. Go ahead and list as much experience as you can without violating the one-page or font size tips.

4. Single Font. Use the same font throughout the entire document. Some believe the more they jazz up the document the more computer savvy they will show the reader. However it becomes a visual distraction for the person reviewing the resume. It is best to use Times New Roman throughout the entire document. If you absolutely feel compelled to use a second font, the heading (your name, address, e-mail, and phone number) could be written in Ariel.

5. Font Size. Keep your font size between 10 and 12 and be consistent throughout the entire document. The only mixing of font sizes that is aesthetically pleasing would be to have a 12 point font in the heading while the balance of the document is in 10 point.

6. Being Bold. Bold is only acceptable for your name and the name of a company.

Electronic Screeners

With the advent of electronic resume services and online postings, software has been developed and is being used by many employers to facilitate going through the hundreds of resumes they could potentially receive for single opening. The software is most effective because employers will list several key words if they want in the resumes they will ultimately select for review. This is the thinking behind our next tips, designed to get the attention of electronic screeners.

7. Size Doesn't Matter When Submitting an Electronic Resume. Electronic software is capable of reviewing an unlimited number of applications on a daily basis. Consequently you can go wild when it comes to listing your accomplishments and skills. In fact, the more you list the better chance you have of being selected. Therefore, throw out the one-page rule when you are completing an online resume.

8. Use Different Terminology. The key word search procedure calls for specific words to be in the resume. You may have the exact skill for which they're looking. Use the wrong word to describe it and your resume could be bypassed. It is highly recommended to use different terminology each time you refer to a specific skill. Do not use “Prepared flow charts to manage 12 scanning projects”. You will receive much more attention writing “compiled Gantt charts using Microsoft Project to coordinate team efforts on a 7 Acme scanning installations and 5 ABC electronic reader deployments”. Notice how flow charts became both “Gantt charts” and “Microsoft Project” while the names of specific scanning systems were used.

Additional tips

There are a couple of tips that apply regardless of how the application is being screened.

9. Show Your Community Involvement. It has become increasingly important to show that you are involved in your community. Employers realize that if you have the ability to coach a soccer team, lead a Girl Scout troop, or coordinate activities for charity that you are able to work as a team and probably have the ability to create a vision and others. Some companies, such as General Mills, strongly encourage all employees to be active in the community. There is some sensitivity involved with this. If you are a Sunday School teacher, it is not necessary to name the church. The same holds true for work with an ethnic group or political party. It is still advised to list the experience but not mention the specific political or ethnic group. (Even in the subsequent interview you can refer to the group in generic terms).

10. Be Extremely Honest. Surveys show that over 50% of applicants will embellish their resume. Although this may help you find a job quicker, it will not be a job you will hold for long. Either the employer will find out that you did exaggerate on your application (which is typically cause for termination) or you will be in a job for which your qualifications are misaligned creating undue stress for you. If you are honest you may find that a prospective employer will see hidden talent that was not on the job posting and will provide you the training you need to improve that skill. Yes, it's true that honesty may keep you from getting an interview — but you have to ask yourself if the job is worth it if you must lie to get it in the first place.

Summary

Following these simple tips will not guarantee that you will find the job of your dreams. Effective use of these tips will move you closer to the front of the line for consideration. Perhaps this doesn't sound like much to you, but if you remember that each job opening will generate dozens or hundreds of applicants to be weeded down to the top five contenders, moving from the sixth position in line to the fifth position in line means all the difference.

Good luck in your job hunting — may you find the job of your dreams.

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Rick Weaver is an accomplished business executive with a wealth of experience in retail, market analysis, supply chain enhancement, project management, team building, and process improvement.

Rick career began in retailing as a stockclerk, eventually becoming the Director of Vendor Development at Kmart Corporation during it's heyday. In this position he worked with hundreds of Kmart's suppliers to improve mutual processes, procedures, and profits. As a consultant, Rick has worked with companies in various industries to develop leadership and business strategies. As an entrepreneur, Rick has founded or co-founded six successful organizations, including non-profit and for profit. Now in his role as president of MaxImpact, Rick uses his vast experience helping individuals connect to their dreams and teams connect to a common vision.

Rick's presentation style of blending humor, real life examples, and easy to implement ideas has made him a popular speaker at seminars, workshops, and conferences in in 43 states, Canada, and Puerto Rico.

(c) Max Impact Corporation

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