How To Write A Resume ý Objective Vs. Summary Statements
It's hard to write a resume. Most of us are not "born salespeople." Just mentioning the word "sales" usually sends a shiver of fear up our spines. Add to this the fact that we are taught from childhood that it's not polite to brag about ourselves it's no wonder that when you're asked to "sell yourself" on a resume you freeze up like a deer in the headlights.
So instead of panicking let's take a resume apart piece by piece and explain how to write an effective resume. Hopefully this will eliminate some of the fear involved in "selling yourself" on paper.
RESUME BASICS (what every resume MUST have)
Your name, address and phone number (obviously). But also your email address.
Email addresses are where most people tend to go wrong. I have a friend with an email address called "1hottiger" (one hot tiger). While this might be cute among friends, to a prospective employer it shows poor taste, and a lack of maturity (since she's in her late 40's). If you don't have a professional sounding email, create a new one just for your job search. You can get free email addresses on Google, Yahoo or Hotmail.
Example of a BAD email address:
ImAPartyGirl@email.com
JennysMom@email.com
2Hot2Handle@email.com
Example of a GOOD email address:
MaryMartin@email.com
M.Martin@email.com
Mary.A.Martin@email.com
STYLE
When you write a resume avoid using fancy fonts or colored ink. This just makes you look immature. Plus, statistics show that if someone has to struggle to read something they won't. Which means you're resume is guaranteed to hit the trash faster than most if you use a script font.
Try to make your resume look like a nice letterhead. One thing I do when I write a resume is condense lines. In the header I put my name to the left and my phone number all the way to the right. Then below that I put my full address (on one line) on the left and my email all the way to the right on the same line. Then I separate it all with a nice line to look like professional stationery.
When To Use An Objective Over A Summary
The Objective Statement
An objective statement is for people who are either just starting out or changing careers. Your resume should state your desired job and field (engineering for instance) and demonstrate that you have the skills or education (if not the job background) for the position.
When you write your resume make sure that you use "action words" in your objective statement. Just like they sound they convey that you are a person willing to get to work and do your best. It should state your skills, your desires and what you want to do FOR the employer.
The WRONG Way To State An Objective:
Looking for a position with a dynamic company that will recognize and use my talents. I am seeking a company that promotes from within and will recognize and reward hard work and talent.
This statement is all about YOU. It gives the prospective employer no information about yourself that makes you stand out from the crowd. When you write your resume try to think from their position. They want someone that's gonna get in there and work hard to make THEM money. How will you do that?
The RIGHT Way to State An Objective:
To apply my knowledge acquired through my Masters degree in Graphic Design and internship at ABC Advertising Company to an entry level position in the art and marketing department of a major magazine.
The Summary Statement
A Summary statement is for people that have been working for a while. It "sums up" your skills and positions using strong "action words" and states your qualifications up-front. It's a way for a prospective employer to "glance" at your resume and determine if it's worth reading further. It should outline briefly your skills and background and anything you feel you did that was "above and beyond" the nature of the job you held.
BAD Summary
Department manager for 15 member department in large marketing firm. Managed schedules and oversaw daily department duties and workflow.
The reason this is BAD is that it's generic. Lots of people have jobs like that. What set you apart? Let's try again:
GOOD Summary
Accomplished department manager with 10 years experience. Created highly synergistic department of 15 creative marketing employees that generated over $5 million dollars in annual sales through applying teamwork and incentives/rewards.
This is just a sample but you should have 3 to 5 strong sentences like this. When you write a resume show the results your efforts made whenever possible, whether it was saving the company money and/or time, or bringing in sales.
Please keep in mind that these lessons are for the person just entering the job market or in entry-level or lower-level management. If you've been in the workforce for a while and are on the rise in your field then you definitely will want to consider hiring a professional resume writing service.
Leslie Kearney is a web author and owner of Resume Help Blog. If you are looking for help finding a professional resume writer, or learning how to write your own resume we can help! We also have up-to-date lists of top companies that are still hiring and helpful information on job searching and interview tips.
|
 |
 |
 |
MORE ARTICLES:
Why You Should Consider Resume Builders
Job-hunting in the 21st century lends itself to all types of great conveniences Whereas once upon a time, you had to reference a book in order to construct a great resume, today technology is here to help us navigate the perils of crafting this very important document
How To Write A Resume The Professional Way
When you learn how to write a resume you will be able to really make a professional document you can use easily
Appointing a Professional Resume Writer
Having an eye-catching resume that impresses your potential employer is one of the most important elements of the job search and so the success of your job search can depend on how well your resume is written Regardless of why you are seeking job whether you are fresh graduate, unemployed or seeking higher than present post with better salary, a professional resume writer can help you get that job you crave
What Does a Resume Editing Service Do?
There's been a lot of talk lately about resume editing services It wasn't so long ago when to most people editing a resume meant having a spouse or friend look over the document
Resume Writing Tips You Must Use If You Want To Write A Resume That Gets Results
When you need to get a new job, your resume is the only tool you have to impress an employer. That is why it is important to take time to learn some effective resume writing tips to help you write a resume that will be sure to get you the results you are aiming for.
Pretty Resume Trumps Ugly Resume - Resume Design Tips
All other things being equal, pretty trumps ugly Tough truth, but I didn't make the rules
What is Resume Software?
There seems to be a universal sentiment among job seekers that writing a resume is an extremely difficult task It is challenging to market your own abilities and capture the essence of your achievements on a single piece of paper
How Much Should a Resume Service Cost?
When considering the cost of a resume service, consider first what you have gone through to get where you are Assuming you have a college degree, then you have spent tens of thousands of dollars on your education so why would you skimp now
How to Choose A Resume Writer
Resume writing is a skill and profession just like any other professional service. Unfortunately, many people are hanging up shingles, running ads, and showing up in cyberspace claiming to be resume writers when they have no writing skills, little experience, and no knowledge of their profession. There are no specific licensing requirements or even a complete educational program to train someone in resume writing. This means that anyone with the inclination can put up a sign, print up business cards, or post a web site, and claim to be a resume writer.
4 Types of Resumes You Can Write
The rationale of writing a resume is to unveil your qualifications and accomplishments to the company In short your resume is your promotional brochure
SES Resume Writing Tips
Applying to a Senior Executive Service position is not easy Not only must you demonstrate excellence as well as a great amount of leadership, but you must also go though the fastidious SES hiring process, which includes SES resume writing, ECQ preparation and the much dreaded interview with Uncle Sam
Resume Styles
A resume is an article containing outline of working experience and educational qualification for the related post It contains precise information in one or two pages
A Resume Writing Format You Can Use Now
When you are looking at a resume writing format you will want to find something that is going to be right for your personal needs.
Art Of Resume Writing
Resume writing is an art You have to practice it until you become an expert in writing
Electronic Resume - 6 Popular Formats For Electronic Resumes
Your electronic resume
|