Writing the Dreaded Resume Part II

A resume can be so important to you and your career. Its job is to show potential employers that you should be the one to win the interview. It has to be concise but catchy because if it doesn't catch the reader's attention within the first 30 seconds then you will lose out. Here are some tips to help you create a great resume.

Resume Do's

1. Be Creative - Use a design that catches the readers attention.

2. Create Sellable Content - How you say something is just as important as what you say. For example, you could write that you maintained various records for company accounts or you could say that you maintained 4 different types of records for the company's 1500 accounts. Notice how the second point is more specific and showcases your true capabilities.

3. Analyze other Ads for Key Words -By learning key words and using them in your resume will help you land an interview. Many employers use software that will scan a resume looking for key words. Resumes that use those words will get looked at and those that don't will enter the trash.

4. Use Power Words-Use the internet and find some good action verbs. This will liven up your writing and make you stand out. Instead of saying you gave assignments to staff, you could say you efficiently directly workflow among team members.

5. Identify and Solve Hidden Needs -- Know that the employer has a problem and is looking for someone to solve that problem and make that employer's life easier. If you can show how you will solve that problem-you will get the interview.

6. Get a 2nd Look - Before sending out your resume, have someone else take a look at it. Sometimes, you can go to your university's writing department or even a friend and ask them to take a quick look. An objective second pair of eyes can help detect errors.

When writing a resume, it's important to know how to make your resume stand out. Its also important to know what pitfalls to avoid. Here is a list to help you out.

Resume Don'ts

1. Too long-your resume needs to be 1 page long with the exception of someone who has several years of work history and then an acceptable resume could be 2 pages. If it's too wordy and takes too long to get through, then it will find its way to the trash.

2. Not enough information-If being wordy is a problem, know that not providing enough information is also a problem. If you skimp on details, an employer will not get a good sense of who you are and you will not be regarded as a good candidate.

3. Too Flashy-although it worked for Elle in the movie, Legally Blonde, it is not advisable to print your resume on colored paper. Also, be sure to use standard Times New Roman or Arial font with a size of 10-12 point.

4. Hard to Read-If a prospective employer cannot read your resume they will not consider you for a job. Before submitting your resume, make sure it's neat, legible, and easy to read.