Resume Writing

Resume is a self-promotional document that presents you in the best possible light, for the purpose of getting invited to a job interview. It's not an official personnel document. It's not a job application. It's not a "career obituary"! And it's not a confessional.

It's not just about past jobs! It's about YOU, and how you performed and what you accomplished in those past jobs--especially those accomplishments that are most relevant to the work you want to do next. A good resume predicts how you might perform in that desired future job.

While writing your resume there are few points that you should remember. Don’t ever leave out your Job Objective! If you don't show a sense of direction, employers won't be interested. Have a clearly stated goal. Decide on a job target (or "job objective") that can be stated in about 5 or 6 words. Don’t use more then 5 to 8 words, because telling more indicates lack of clarity.

There are times when you have gaps in your work experience. Don’t be afraid about the gaps. Include everything you did in those days rather than saying that, you took a gap. For example, you can include all the work done even if unpaid or charity. Or Maternity leave, Study leave, etc. Students can make their resume look neater by listing seasonal jobs very simply, such as "Spring 1996" or "Summer 1996" rather than 6/96 to 9/96. This adds lots of freshness to the resume. Add every small detail like promotions activities, etc. But it is also to be remembered that over doing or writing may led to rejection. Just go around 6-7 years back not more than that unless its very big or important activity that you have done.

The best way to impress an employer is the “Problem – Action – Result” Method. First you state the problem that existed in your workplace, then you describe what you did about it, and finally you point out the beneficial results. This adds lots of importance to your resume.

Including hobbies in a resume is a nice idea. But don't include hobbies on a resume unless the activity is somehow relevant to your job objective, or clearly reveals a characteristic that supports your job objective. For example, a hobby of Book Reading (vocabulary, grammatical skills) might seem relevant to some job objectives (Secretary) but not to others.

Now some minute detailing that needs to be remembered while making that very important resume. Always mention the prefix “Mr.” or “Mrs.” or “Miss” before your name. If your name is Kiran or a name which is common in both sexes, the employer might get confused while addressing you. Mentioning all the degrees you have is not enough! You must also mention the extra activities done by you. It will add to the treat if the activity is related to the work you are applying for.

Use simple while or ivory paper for your resume. Using a fancy or think paper out does the content of the resume making it look like a brochure with only design and no content (unless you are applying for a designers post)

What jobs to apply for

Some people when they are unemployed will figure, if I apply for every job I see I am bound to get one. Sounds good in theory but it really is a waste of your time. If you sent your résumé to every classified ad in the paper, it will cost you a lot of money. Write down what jobs you have had in the past and then make a list of what functions you performed and then a list of the skills you have. Once you have done that, you can begin looking through the paper for a job.

There are many ads in the paper that may have no experience necessary. Only if those ads are legit then apply. Some jobs with that type of description are jobs that have you selling products door to door or in parking lots. Make sure it is an actual job, call and ask a lot of questions.

Apply for jobs you know you can do, don’t apply for a job you think you can do and figure if you get the job they have to teach you anyway. Don’t embarrass yourself; if you can’t do the job don’t apply. When you get there don’t assume they are going to train you as if you don’t anything. Most companies will ask you what you know and begin training you from that point.

Apply for jobs that you know you can reach by any means of transportation. If your cars breaks down you have to make sure you can get there by bus or train. Apply for jobs within a 20 mile radius, don’t take a job with over an hour of travel time because you run the risk of being late. Most likely it will happen often.

Apply for a job that accommodates your home life, especially if you have kids. You don’t want a job where you are constantly leaving early to pick up the kids from school or if they have a school holiday. Make all of those arrangements in case you get the job and not after it.

Apply for a job that you would be comfortable doing. If you have the skills and the situations at home are perfect then you will be more relaxed looking for work if you know everything is settled. Looking for the perfect job is not always easy but it is not impossible.