A resume has to accomplish 3 goals:
1. To be found
2. To be read
3. To generate a response
In order to accomplish those goals, the information on your resume must have the keywords to be found, be interesting enough to be read, and to include information that tells an employer what you can do for them that will generate a return on their investment.
Resume Format
The resume needs to grab an employer’s attention within the first 20 to 30 seconds of being read. In order to do that, the top of your resume should include a powerful opening statement followed by achievements.
- Opening Statement:Think of this statement as your own personal branding tool which means marketing yourself in a unique way. The opening statement should include: who you are, your biggest strength, and what benefit you bring to them.
- Example:An experienced Retail Operations Executive, who engages cutting–edge technologies to help global retail companies achieve aggressive revenue growth and improve operating, cost objectives.
- Achievements:This section should include 3 to 5 achievements that include what you did and the result. It’s the tasks you did and what the outcome was when you completed the task. This section can include any awards or recognition you received for the work you have completed. Example: Enhanced staff morale through a six-month incentive program that also instigated a major increase in sales.
The remainder of your resume will include Professional Work History, Education and Training
Keyword Competencies:This section could be at the beginning of your resume or very end of your resume. This is a list of relevant keywords that recruiters and HR use when searching for resume. You should put as many relevant keywords that describe your technical skills, potential job title, and anything that would be considered “buzz” industry words. Look at job descriptions in your field to get an idea of what keywords seem to be consistent throughout those jobs.
- Example:A computer programmer could have a keyword section that looks like this. C++, Java, HTML, software development, application development, troubleshooting, problem solving, project management.
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