Boost Your Resume Power

"Boost Your Resume Power

Objectively Speaking...

If you want to convey an immediate lack of enthusiasm, start your resume with this objective - "Seeks challenging position within a growth-oriented company." Clearly, that goes without saying and probably leads over half of the resumes crossing the HR desks nationwide. Take your objective to the next level by transforming it into a strong profile statement that briefly, yet impressively, generates interest:

Dynamic, results-oriented professional with over 20 years of broad-based experience and visible achievements in business development/startup, strategic business partnerships and emerging markets. Expertise in high-technology solutions, quality customer service and commitment to excellence combine to consistently delivers improved productivity and increased profitability.

Now that's a high-power statement which will certainly drive the employer to continue reading and one which you don't necessarily need years of experience to compose. Expertise is duly noted, as well as results in efficiency and fiscal growth.

"Responsible for..." (Yawn)

Most employers are looking for strong, growth-oriented candidates who possess transferable skills and a record of achievement. If your resume solely focuses on responsibilities or duties without demonstrating results, you are doing yourself a great disservice. The following is an example of what usually happens when one does not utilize imaginative thinking (and a statement so overused, no wonder hiring authorities get bored!):

Responsible for managing sales staff of 8.

With more thought and planning, you will make a stronger impact with this:

Direct efforts of 8 team members in all aspects of sales, marketing, customer service and revenue generation. Instrumental in delivering 58% increase over 5-month period.

Even if you don't have impressive numbers to include, taking some extra time to describe your daily accountabilities will make a difference; clearly, the second bullet is more impressive and speaks volumes.

Genius I.Q.?

Educationally speaking, you should always be proud of your accomplishments. However, if your employment history already boasts at least 5 solid years of experience, you should be focusing on that instead.

Unless you are seeking your SECOND entry-level position at the same salary, let your experience speak before your education. Exceptions to this rule - recently obtained MBA, new degree related to field, recent certifications, and/or very prestigious and/or specialty school with a perfect GPA, still within no more than 5 or so years of real business experience. You can also list your educational achievement at the end of your profile statement as such...."MBA degree" or "Microsoft Certified Professional."

One Page Only!

The old rule of one page is just that - OLD. Anyone with 8 or more years of experience can easily utilize 2 pages to describe their qualifications and background, particularly if they are including technical or qualifications sections. Obviously, 2 pages is ridiculous if it contains irrelevant information, has no focus or extends only a few lines onto the second page, but if the information is compelling enough to boost your candidacy, go for it. Think about it - a company is going to be investing several thousands of dollars into your salary. You can bet they will want to know as much as they can about your potential before they even spend one minute talking with you. If you are an executive or in the educational/medical field, you can safely use 3 or more pages. Squeezing information onto one page, making it difficult to read or eliminating valuable facts only harms your chances.

Additional Resume Gaffes Include:

• Listing hobbies that are not relevant to your goal (example would be that you are an avid golfer and are applying for a position at a country club).
• Listing age, marital status or other personal information (overseas this is sometimes different).
• Listing jobs that are outdated or not relevant to your position (for example, if you have 25 years of experience but only 15 relate to your objective, cut the last 10).
• Listing references - save these for a professionally presented sheet of information to use at the interview.
• Listing salary information - NO, NO, NO - this should always be saved for a face-to-face discussion.
• Eliminating professional memberships or volunteerism - companies like to see candidates who have a fulfilling "life" outside of work!
• Forgetting your cover letter - this document is another opportunity to influence the reader and demonstrate how you can become an active contributor.
• Tiepoz, oops, I mean typos - KISS of death on a resume. Granted, you may be given the benefit of the doubt if your qualifications are impeccable, but don't take the chance. PROOF your work and have others do the same.

- Kim Little on net-temps.com

Director of Fast Track Resumes, a certified career coaching and professional resume writing firm www.fast-trackresumes.com"

<Note from JobFairy.com: Follow the frickin' template already. You won't be making these kind of mistakes if you follow the template strictly and correctly. Don't add in something you think we forgot. We didn't. Trust us, we fairies have been doing this for a while.>