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Basic Things to Know About a Resume

March 24, 2011 9 Comments

Your Resume is a very important tool in your search for a job.  With the current state of the economy, a powerful resume could be your key to finding employment.  It is essential you understand exactly what a resume is and is not.

Your Resume is:

  1. A concise presentation of yourself targeted to the needs of a specific employer
  2. A marketing tool that distinguishes you from the competition (highlights your major accomplishments)
  3. A document that focuses on “the whole person” (your unique qualities, experience and strengths)
  4. A results-oriented document, which highlights not just what you did but the IMPACT your efforts had on previous employers
  5. A document that demonstrates career progression or an increasing level of complexity in your work experience

Your Resume is NOT:

  1. A history of your life from high school to business school
  2. An autobiography which describes your life to date
  3. A laundry list of everything you have ever done
  4. A long (2+ pages) document that is dense and difficult to read; 2 pages are fine if your work experience requires two pages
  5. A detailed list of all your job responsibilities
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9 Responses to “Basic Things to Know About a Resume”

  1. Gary Gile Reply March 24, 2011 at 11:12 am

    I’m glad you include what a resume is not as well as what it is. This will be very valuable when your readers actually take advantage of your advice.

    Thanks.
    Gary Gile recently posted..Melt Up

  2. Stan Zajdel Reply March 24, 2011 at 6:42 pm

    Follow the KISS rule Keeppit simple, and stress your strong points.

  3. bobbi Reply March 24, 2011 at 6:59 pm

    “What a resume is not” is as important as what a resume is. A litany does not cut it.

  4. Mike Matheney Reply March 24, 2011 at 10:35 pm

    Excellent points, and as the above stressed, your resume should be concise and focused on how YOU will be an asset to the employer. Your resume literally has a survival rate measured in seconds, which is why delivery, presentation, and the ability to track is more important than ever.

  5. Jason Barnes Reply March 25, 2011 at 11:14 am

    Highlights and bullet points….you have to grab their attention and want them to learn more about you.

  6. Jimmy Reply March 26, 2011 at 11:35 pm

    Hello,Make sure you have a complete resume when you send it out.This was incredible information.thanks
    jimmy

  7. Shaun Reply July 8, 2011 at 5:35 am

    You might like to take a look at http://www.curv.me – it’s a more personal modern CV that helps you develop your personal brand. It’s in the cloud and it’s free!

  8. KVP Reply August 1, 2011 at 12:02 pm

    I realized my Resume is BAD! Any suggestions on a online company that does Resume writing that won’t break the bank?