Writing a resume that shows the best you

Wednesday, June 27, 2012

Writing a resume that shows the best you


There are four basic types of resumes to choose from. Your choice of which one to use depends on what experiences, education, or skills you want to highlight for your prospective employer.

Reverse Chronological


A reverse chronological resume is a good choice for people who have a strong and consistent work history in the same field or industry. It can be used to show a progression of jobs with increasing responsibility and pertinent work experience. This resume lists an applicant’s work history, starting with their most recent employment.


Experiential


A functional resume is most effective for people who have gaps in their employment history or for people who frequently change jobs. It is also appropriate for people trying to change their career or move into a new field. This resume lists skills, experience, and professional accomplishments. Its focus is on a person's future potential and ability to contribute to an organization.

Blended


A blended resume incorporates the best parts of a experiential and chronological. It enables applicants to showcase their skills while still giving the prospective employer a work history summary. It is a good choice for anyone if done correctly.

What's most important?


The elements of a resume that deserve the most attention are the ones that tell the prospective employer why you are the best fit for the position. These areas are: job objective, skills and work experience, and education and training. The job objective should be clearly stated with as few words as possible. It should answer the questions of what you want to do, who you are doing it for or with, where, and at what level of responsibility. This shows the potential employer that you see the position as a good fit with your personal goals.

The skills and work experience section should not only show that you are qualified, but also that you are especially talented or gifted in ways that would make you an ideal choice. This is done by listing responsibilities, skills, and achievements that show success in the areas that will be most important for the job. The education and training section should show that you have the knowledge necessary to excel in the field you are applying in.

Put the focus on your strengths


If you want to showcase your skills and downplay your education you should place the skills section first. You should highlight your career achievements, successful track record, and industry knowledge. Any alternative education or training should be highlighted. This can include on the job training, conferences, seminars, in-service training, certifications, or even self-directed learning. You should also list any current education or partial education that is applicable to the position.

If you would rather highlight your education it should come first. You should list all honors that show you excelled in your course of study and include any organization you participated in. You GPA should be listed if it is at least 3.0 or higher. You may also list the GPA for your major separate from your overall GPA if it is higher. Any experience gained through your course of study that qualifies you for the position should also be detailed.

Get the Interview


A good resume does not guarantee you a job, but it can get you in the door. There is room for some creativity when writing a resume and this should be used to present your strengths and downplay any weaknesses. You should choose the form that works best for you and then customize it for the desired position. This will give you the best chance of getting an interview and landing the job.


About the author: 

JR Olson writes for a 24 7 locksmith who knows that getting a job interview can go a long way, and maybe someday the job interview might be for a locksmith career.

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