Secrets for a High-Caliber Resume

An Article by Sharon Graham, CRS, CIS, CCS, CPRW, CEIP

Principal Consultant, Graham Management Group

A prospective employer will spend less than 30 seconds reviewing your resume. You must keep it clear, concise and focused on selling yourself. Here are some secrets that you can use to develop a high-caliber resume that will effectively sell you.

Close the sale on the first half of the first page 

Most recruiters will scan your resume on-line.  If they do not immediately see something that they want to see on their computer screen, they will not print your resume. The section of the resume that is visible on a computer screen without having to scroll down (the first half of the first page) is the most important part of your resume. If you want to be seen, your resume must close the sale there.

Make your objective a power statement

Start with a “power statement” to showcase yourself.  Rather than using verbs, focus on telling the employer in quick, dynamic way,

1. The job that you are looking for
2. Your exceptional skills, education and/or experience
3. And what you can do for the company

An effective power statement may look like this: “Highly respected General Manager with a Master’s Degree in both Finance and Business Administration, and proven success in exceeding organizational targets.”

Use action words carefully

Action words are verbs that are used at the beginning of sentences for added punch. Use action words to highlight your skills and accomplishments. When creating a bullet list, avoid repeating the same action word too often. Always make sure that your action words are in the same tense. It is important that your resume does not look like it was slapped together in a haphazard way without regard to simple grammatical rules.

Whenever possible quantify your statements

Numbers stand out and communicate clearly and openly the results you produced. When you cannot use exact or estimated figures, try using percentages and hard facts to highlight what you will bring to the company.

Spotlight your most important sales points only

Your most impressive and relevant qualifications should be highlighted in italics, boldface type or underlined.  Do not highlight items excessively or your important sales points will not be apparent to someone scanning your resume. Make sure that there is an appropriate amount of white space so that your highlighted qualifications stand out. If your resume is too long for one page, it is best to go to two.

Employ the right keywords

In order to be selected on-line, you must have a keyword-rich resume. The best place to find relevant keywords and key phrases for your field is in job descriptions and employment advertisements. Your keyword list should be inserted in your resume so that an on-line search will find your resume and a recruiter can easily read your text on-screen. Place your keywords creatively throughout your resume to transmit your message effectively to computers and humans.

With the changing times, there are few rigid rules for every situation. So, use these secrets effectively to make informed decisions in developing your resume. Your ultimate goal is to create a resume that showcases your skills and sells you to your prospective employer.

Sharon Graham is principal consultant for Graham Management Group, executive director of Career Professionals of Canada, and author of Best Canadian Resumes. Graham Management Group is known for excellence and innovation in resume, interview, and career strategy. Sharon assists executives, managers, and other experienced professionals through this leading career consulting firm. You can find further information and articles directly at www.GrahamManagement.com.

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