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Winning Resumes that Deliver Results


By Robert Loblaw

The job market is tight. If you want to compete effectively and find the job of your dream, you need to have the right tools. Without those tools you won't even get your foot in the door and a resume is the number one tool that you need to get interviews. Not just any resume, though; you need a winning resume. Winning resumes have certain key elements that get you noticed and the Employment Guide to Resume Writing offers these recommendations:

Watch your P's and Q's. Winning resumes are not full of typographical errors and incorrect grammar. Mind your spelling, punctuation and grammar when writing your resume. Spell Check is your friend! Once you have completed the final draft of your resume, reread it carefully, correcting any errors. If you can, get someone else to review it as well. Even one misspelled word, misplaced comma or improperly structured sentence can send your resume to the bottom of the pile - or worse. Take the time to rid it of errors.

Open with something compelling. When the hiring manager first picks up your resume, you have about thirty seconds to grab his or her attention and make a good impression. This means that the first section of your resume, usually the objective or summary, must be compelling. Be creative! You want to pique the interest of the hiring manager, enticing them to read more.

Remember that each position might need a tweaked resume. Remember that the Employment Guide to Resume Writing states that the more specific your resume is going to be to the position that you are applying for, the better. How can you bring out the parts of your resume that pertain to the job, and how can you show them that you have the experience that they are looking for? It really can make a lot of difference.

Match the resume type to the appropriate situation. There are several types of resumes and the Employment Guide to Resume Writing says that there are certain types of resumes for different employment situations. Some jobs call for a chronological resume, the most popular type. Other jobs may be better suited for a functional resume while a combination of the types may be more appropriate for other jobs.

Always remember that your resume needs to be clear and concise. Never make it feel as though your resume is being stuffed to seem more impressive. Stay away from long or flowery descriptions and you will find that you get a much better response. You might want to use bullet points to keep you on track, and if you find that some things don't "pull their weight," toss them out!

Always remember that you need to include your references. Before you use them, ask your references to see what they have to say. It looks bad if your prospective employer manages to surprise your reference when they call! Most people consider a mix of personal and professional references to be ideal, though if the position calls for it, make sure that you throw an academic resource in as well.

Make sure that you give your resume a thorough once over before you send it in. Are all the headings, bullets and information consistent and correct? Have you spell checked and read it over once? Make sure that you are using a printer that will give you quality text and that your resume looks as professional as you want to be seen.

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