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It’s been said that when a person writes a book and sends it off to a publisher, if you don’t capture the attention of the editor within the first paragraph, your manuscript will end up in the trash. The same thing can be said for a resume.
For any given job, how many resumes do you think are submitted? Sure, it depends on the job and state of the economy at the time you’re applying, but it’s safe to say that employers receive quite a few for each position available. This is why creating a lasting impression with your resume is so important.
You can’t simply list your past jobs and think you’ll get the position you’re after. You’ve got to “wow” the reader, immediately. Here are some tips to help you do that:
Never Lie
Lying is the best way to lose any chance at the job you’re after. The majority of employers now do background checks on every applicant they’re considering. If you blatantly lie, they will find out. A slight exaggeration here and there is pretty much expected, but don’t lie. For instance, listing a job with a company that you never worked at is a lie, but saying you that you type 70 words per minute when you really only type 65 is okay.
Formatting
Don’t use fancy fonts, italics, underlining, etc. A plain Arial or Tahoma font, size 11 or 12 is best. Extravagant typeface will not impress, it will only make you look desperate to get attention.
Spell Check
Always, always use a spell checker. I don’t care how perfect you think your spelling and grammar are, you need to have it checked by a computerized spell checker. You can use the one in your word processing program, or go online. There are many free online spell checkers available. Nothing will turn your potential employer off faster than misspelled words.
Salary
Do not include your salary requirements on your resume. Leave that for the application. The time will come when salary needs to be negotiated, but your resume is not the time or place for it.
References
Don’t include your references. It appears amateurish. This is also something best left to the application.
Objective Statement
While this is optional, it’s a good way to start your resume off. A short, well written paragraph describing what type of position you’re looking for and why. It helps the employer know immediately if you’re even worth considering, and he/she will appreciate the effort.
Work History Before Education
Unless you have a very limited work history, or you’ve just recently graduated from college, you should place the education after your work history. Most likely, it’s more relevant to the position.
These tips won’t guarantee you a job. However, they will help you create a lasting impression your resume. And really, that’s half the battle.
Your resume is simply a tool to get the employers attention. Once you’ve gotten that, you can dazzle them in the interview and possibly get the job of your dreams.