Are you looking for a job? Or do you plan to look for a job in the near future?
Those questions represent the most common reasons someone would start looking at your resume and decide if it needs to be updated. What most people find out over time is that their resume should always be up-to-date, as job changes can happen suddenly and without warning. But most people wait until a resume is needed, and that’s when the decision is made to try to refine and update it, or leave it as it is and hope it’s enough to catch the eye of a recruiter or hiring manager. . There is a misconception that because resumes are rarely mailed, they are not that important. However, many online application forms still require a copy of the resume to be uploaded for review.
A challenge for many people is knowing how to create an effective resume. You can do an internet search and find literally hundreds of articles and resources online that provide fairly standard methods for creating a resume; however, that can become overwhelming over time. Also, few people are very skilled writers, and poorly written sentences with numerous spelling and grammatical errors can make a bad impression. You should be aware of the fact that when you submit a resume, you are taking your place and representing yourself as a person, with no guarantee of getting an interview, and that means your resume can make or break your job prospects before you do. get to talk to someone about it.
Typical misconceptions
One of the first misconceptions people have about the use of resumes is that they are never actually read, especially when there are online application forms to fill out. While this is in no way provable, I know from my own experience as a professional writer that most recruiters look at received resumes because they provide an overview of a candidate’s attention, or lack thereof, to details like the style and type of writing
Another common misconception is that a resume should be one page long. I’m not sure I know how that idea became popular or why it has remained so entrenched, as it ultimately doesn’t work for most applicants and can hurt the job seeker. The reason is that a one-page resume, for a person who has a fairly extensive experience, can fall short. This type of resume will omit critical information or be written in a font size that is not easy to read.
Other misconceptions include using a resume objective and writing detailed job descriptions. A job objective is usually a statement of what the candidate would like to do or the specific job she is looking for. The reason this is not necessary is that the cover letter must express interest in the position and there is no need to state it again. Also, many mission statements are so specific that the candidate would be ruled out of other potential positions that may be related to the job advertised. Also, many jobs that I have seen listed on resumes include text that comes from job descriptions or has been written as standard text for job descriptions, and that does not necessarily explain the skills the candidate has and may contain jargon that is not it is easy to understand by all who read it.
Skill sets or a chronological list?
Another important decision to make about developing a resume is the format it should follow, and the most common approach is to use a chronological style. This approach lists each job in chronological or date order, with the most current job listed at the top of the page. The inherent problem with this type of resume is that the focus is on what the candidate is doing now without drawing attention to the skills he has acquired throughout his career.
My approach to writing a resume involves using a skillset-based approach and that means that when a recruiter or hiring manager opens the resume, they first read the skill sets that have been acquired throughout the career of the recruiter. candidate. More importantly, the skill sets listed are directly related to the job or career the candidate is interested in. This can change the candidate’s entire perspective when viewed by a potential employer, as she now sees it beyond the current job she has. This is an especially useful approach for anyone interested in changing jobs or careers.
The anatomy of a resume with impact
What gives a resume impact, with respect to standing out among other submitted resumes? It’s a resume that can be easily read, showcases skill sets that are immediately identifiable as related to the advertised position, and highlights significant achievements and accomplishments. A chronological resume emphasizes what a person is doing now; while a skillset resume represents what a person can transfer from their entire career to this new role. An impactful resume also includes a career summary at the beginning, rather than a career objective, and this provides career highlights that are relevant to any position. Finally, a highly effective resume will be well written and formatted, with meticulous attention to every minor detail.
Why invest in a professional writer?
Most people are not fully equipped for the task of developing a resume that meets all of the criteria listed above and that is why a professional resume writer is needed. However, my experience has found that a professional writer is not contacted until an attempt has been made to improvise, so to speak, and the desired results have not been obtained. In other words, there have been few or no work calls received. There is some question of paying the cost of a resume writer, especially when a person is unemployed, and I certainly understand the financial constraints of that situation. What I have found is that anyone who needs a job also needs to make this investment, as it is an investment in a career that can deliver long-term results.
Finding a reliable resume writer is the next challenge for anyone who decides it’s time to make the investment. A good resume writer should have a history of writing and editing experience, along with knowledge of recruiting and hiring practices. What credentials determine an effective resume writer? There are resume writing certifications available and that certainly shows commitment to the job. My background is different than before, as I have advanced education and experience as an educator, writer, and author. The most important element is that anyone working in this type of industry must have some evidence of writing experience.
Another distinguishing feature is the fee that a resume writer charges. I know of many writers who charge exorbitant fees and then guarantee that their resumes will produce jobs or job openings. I don’t think anyone can guarantee results based on resume alone; however, what a resume can do is present the best a candidate has to offer and help generate interest. My clients have told me that after they received a resume I wrote, they started getting more job calls. So it was up to them to speak up and encourage the potential employer to consider them further. I have also found that another benefit of having a professionally written resume is that it provides a confidence boost as the person better views themselves as they are reminded of the skills and qualities they possess.
I am often asked for sample resumes and that is another way I can distinguish my resume writing service from others, as each resume written is custom made, rather than using templates. What I can do is describe my approach to resume writing and provide an overview of the process and format of the new resume. I have also gone one step further and the Better Business Bureau certified my business, as it confirms when the business was founded and provides an overall rating. This does not provide a guarantee of the quality of the services provided; however, it does offer a certain degree of security when someone is interested in hiring me to write their resume.
If you are interested in building your career, regardless of the type of industry you are currently in or the job you have now, you need a resume that represents you in the best possible light. Once you submit a resume, you don’t get a second chance to resubmit it, and what the potential employer sees determines their initial impression of you, your career, and your background. Whether you fill out an online form and upload a resume, or submit a resume directly, it should connect you to the potential job by demonstrating that you have acquired the necessary skills, training, education, or other similar qualifications. Your resume can either help your prospect get considered or cause them to be disqualified. That’s the power a resume has for you and your career.
