Resume Connection: Resume Tips, #2
- Objective Section
In almost all cases, your resume should begin with a statement of what your
objective is. What kind of job are you looking for? This is your chance to
share this information in a single sentence.
Remember -- the Objective is the first thing people will see when reading
your resume, so it is an ideal place for you to make a strong first
impression. Use words that make you come across as eager and looking for
challenge.
A poor Objective section:
OBJECTIVE
To find a job in consulting or finance.
Much better Objective section:
OBJECTIVE:
A challenging position in consulting that utilizes my finance background and
strong management skills.
Tip: the "Objective"
section in your resume can -- and should -- be tailored to fit each employer
you send your resume to. For example, if you are sending your resume to a
company that focuses on hi-tech clients, then you should mention that
is the industry/sector you are intersted in.
- Action Verbs
In many cases, a resume will use, re-use, and over-use a handful of about
6-8 common verbs and phrases. Phrases such as "responsible for",
"worked", and "used" are tiresome examples that are used
way too often.
While such words are unavoidable in some cases, you should generally try to
use more positive, "action" phrases. Here are some examples of
great words to use:
negotiated
demonstrated
cultivated
maximized
enforced |
minimized
formulated
achieved
established
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- Miscellaneous
Presentation Tips
* Use the same font throughout your resume.
* Avoid italics or underlining. Put section headings in bold.
* Do not use any shading or colors.
* It is *OK* if your resume takes more than 1-page, but keep it below
2-pages.
* Use a font size of 9 at least and 13 at most.
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Other Resume Resources
Some resume tips
-
More is not always better. Focus on what matters to the
position you are seeking and the company you are providing it for. A general
resume is not effective, so don't bother writing one or sending it out.
-
If you have identified six or fewer recruiters to work with,
send a resume specific to the field in which you wish to work and then
follow up with the recruiter about tailoring to a specific job order.
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Try to monetize the accomplishments you list.
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Don't say you "spearheaded" this and gobbledegooked that. It
makes you sound desperate to say you accomplished something you didn't do.
Emphasize your team role, not your individual role. "Part of team
that..." If it's not obvious from your qualifications that you led the team,
you can bring this out during conversation about the job.
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Ideally, you will not send a resume before discussing the
intended employer's needs and how you can meet them. A resume sent before
this point generally makes you a commodity.
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Use your network to identify job leads; a resume does not
open doors and generate job offers, because employers are buried in resumes.
They aren't going to read your resume, experience near rapture, and phone
you up demanding an interview as soon as possible. Life just does not work
that way.
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