Creating a résumé that says I AM the Right Person for the Job (Part 2)

2.    Résumé Content              

iv.          Eliminate unnecessary information from your résumé. For example, a student enrolled in an undergraduate degree programme need not detail his/her CXC passes. The employer would be more interested in core modules covered in the degree programme which would bare great relevance to the job. 

v.                  Do not clutter your résumé with excess words. Résumés are not generally written in sentence form but rather in concise phrases. Please consider these examples that would fall under “Work Experience”:

Instead of writing:

·         I was hired to develop the company’s website and database

It is completely acceptable to write:

·         Developed the company’s website and database

vi.       Avoid acronyms and jargons.

      v.       Use résumé power verbs to emphasize your achievements. These words 

                include managed, collaborated, implemented, advanced, engineered, 

                formulated conceptualized and strengthened etc.

      vi.      Whatever you place on your résumé should represent you greatly. Write with confidence and ensure that your résumé is error free. Where possible, seek professional help to review your résumé. Let the employer know that you are a confident prospective employee!

Creating a résumé that says I AM the Right Person for the Job (Part 1)

Here are some very important points for consideration:

1.    Visual appeal

i.                    Be creative by creating a background design for your résumé. Besides creativity, this shows that some thought have gone into your résumé presentation. Keep the design simple, professional and representative of you. While the design should enhance your presentation it is the information contained in the résumé that is more important.   

ii.                  You can get a more appealing look, by printing your résumé on a lightly-coloured paper. Ensure that the colour does not affect the readability of your résumé.  Ideally, the paper should be a little heavier than the normal printing paper.

iii.                You can also use colours to separate the various headings and sections; however you should use a limited range of colours. Dark blue is usually a good choice. If you are using dark blue for one heading, ensure that this is the colour used throughout the document.

iv.                Should you include a photograph on your résumé? Generally (with relatively few exceptions) the inclusion of photographs on résumés is discouraged by recruiters unless the position that is being applied for requires a particular look.  If and when the need for a photograph arises, you will be informed by the recruiter/employer.     

2.    Resume Content

i.                    Be sure to create an email address that portrays a professional image, for example, shellyann.brown@gmail.com or natalia_black@yahoo.com. Email addresses that are offensive, sexual or flirtatious must only be utilized for personal use, for example, sexybody@yahoo.com, danityme@live.com or bossyme@gmail.com, just to name a few.

ii.                  Be sure to include a well thought out career objective statement. A well-written statement tells the prospective employer that you are goal-oriented (you know what you want to do and you know how to get there). Normally your career objective supports the position that you are applying for.

Example:

As an aspiring marketing consultant, I am currently seeking a significant marketing role in a dynamic and growing marketing company that will permit me to hone my analytical skills while and developing media plans and marketing strategies with cross-functional teams

iii.                Make sure you have an adaptable résumé. Do not send the same résumé to every organization. It must be adjusted to suit the job requirement for the particular position for which you are applying. Where possible, your résumé must demonstrate your utilization of boasted skill-sets in other settings. For example, if the position being applied for requires management skills, under the section titled “Relevant Work Experience” or “Positions held”, be sure to include/highlight tasks or projects that will demonstrate that you have acquired such a skill. This will is one sure way to verify to your potential employer that you can advance organization with your skills and experience.