Friday, June 29, 2007

How Should Your Resume Look

Guys If you are looking for a good job your resume should also be good.The perfect resume must excel in both content and format. Spruce your resume with these simple, effective tips and you will definitely get those interview calls.

Resume is not at all

--It is not a biography.
--It is not a statement of purpose listing your short-term and long-term goals.
--It should not just be a long list of landmarks in your professional career.



One should always think from a recruiter's point of view

--Your potential employer may not have enough time on his or her hands to read a 10-page masterpiece, so ensure your resume does not extend beyond a couple of pages

--When you draft your resume, think from a recruiter's point of view. Provide information that a prospective employer needs to know and not the kind of information you want him/ her to read

You Must Include in resume

Here are points you must definitely include:

i.) Experience in your professionGive valuable insights; for example, if you are in the advertising industry, you could mention the big players and important names you have worked with.

ii. )Skills gained in the fieldApart from skills you are expected to gain in your field of work, do highlight skills you may have picked up as extras. For example, if you are a teacher, your expected skills would include your command over the language concerned, the ability to handle students and your knowledge about the subject concerned.


iii.) General skillsThis could include interpersonal skills, a knowledge of computers, etc. If you know computer packages apart from MS Office, such as Photoshop and Adobe page maker, and if you know how to make a Powerpoint presentation, do mention it.

iv.)Accomplishments in concrete terms

If you have won any award or citation such as Best Employee Of The Month, mention it; this will present you in a positive light.

v.)Academic recordGive your record in reverse chronological order, mentioning your most recent qualification first

Packaging and content

Packaging is as important as content -- both should go hand in hand.

--Your name, address, telephone number and e-mail address should lead your resume.

--The format you use should be consistent. Do not use too many stylistic fonts and don't change the font size too often.

--The first impression is the last impression, so the first few lines must be really impressive. List about three to four major skills and two achievements in the first summary section. The qualities you focus on should be compelling, not generalised.

--Using a job objective as a starting point is a good focal point.

--Don't be too humble. You have to sell yourself. Nobody else is going to do it for you. Give concrete achievements.

--If you have progressed up the ladder in a particular company, you need to point this out. For example, if you joined as a trainee and were then promoted to a managerial level within two years, mention it instead of simply saying you are a manager.

Avoid these silly things

--Don't exaggerate your skills. It may get you the job, but you will have difficulty retaining the post if you cannot deliver.

--Standardise your language. Use either American English or British English, not a sprinkling of both

--Don't talk about unrealistic goals