Resume

5 Must-Read Resume Writing Tips

5 Must-Read Resume Writing Tips

Is the thought of writing a resume as pleasant as having your wisdom teeth surgically extracted? I ask because I was discussing resume writing tips with a client today and she was thrilled I was going to write it for her. As she put it, she was no longer actively involved in the "whole torturous process." Related: 5 Things That Make Your Resume Stand Out In Today’s Job Market I didn't realize the experience could be so terrible - but then I thought about doing my own taxes and realized what she meant.


5 Must-Read Resume Writing Tips

Here are five must-read resume writing tips that will help you through the process:

1. Keep It Simple

Keep your resume simple yet filled with relevant information and keywords. Sell your skills, abilities, and accomplishments by showing how you are an excellent fit for the job. Remember, your resume is a marketing piece and it's supposed to generate enough interest to get you a telephone call from a prospective employer. It is your ticket into a telephone interview at the least, so it should make you shine!

2. Don't Cram

If you have more than five years of experience, it is not necessary for you to try to cram everything into a one page document. Two pages are perfectly acceptable and standard practice. Generally, you want to keep your resume at no more than two pages.

3. Show How You're The Solution

The employer has a pain, so to speak, so you need to show how you are the solution. Your resume should target the job for which you are applying. If you're applying for a job as a Research Scientist, tailor your resume toward the position. Go ahead and remove anything that isn't related. There's no need to mention a marketing internship on your Research Scientist resume because it's not relevant to the position.

4. Just List The Years

You don't need to use months and years on your resume; just use years. This will be especially helpful if you've held irrelevant jobs for less than a year because you don't have to mention them on your resume. For instance, if you were working part-time as a pottery instructor for seven or eight months, you don't need to add it to your Research Scientist resume. (A caveat: Don't forget to mention the job prior to a background check).

5. Show The Result First

For greater impact, mention the result first then describe how you achieved it. Take a look at this before and after. Before: Designed and implemented a research strategy that resulted in $30,000 in additional revenues each month. After: Generated $30,000 in additional monthly revenues by designing and implementing a high impact research strategy. Writing a resume does not have to be torture. These five tips will help you write a great resume and hopefully help you forget all about wisdom teeth extraction. This post was originally published at an earlier date.

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