Your resume is the key that can open the door to new opportunities and a bright future. A poorly written resume however is a sure-fire way of keeping that door firmly shut.
One question I've been asked repeatedly over the years is, "what's the most important thing to have on your resume?" My answer is simple: a Great Overarching Statement!
Like any piece of effective communication, you need to hook your reader immediately. Call it what you will - Professional Profile, Overview, Career Summary - the GOS is your positioning statement. It's a short, sharp statement that says who you are and what you've done. It can also be used to show the reader where you are heading, particularly if your aim is to transition into a different field.
Career objectives are fine if you are a graduate, however, caution is advised for anyone else. A career objective is all about what you want. In reality, the potential employer doesn't care what you want - they want to know what you can do for them. Show them!
As potential employers and recruiters see so many resumes, you may only have a few seconds to capture their attention. The top half of the first page of your resume is the most important. Use this space wisely. If you don't engage them immediately, it won't matter what you say on page two or three as they won't get that far.
When writing your resume you should remember CCR (an no, I'm not talking about the 60/70s rock band). You must keep your information Clear, Concise and Relevant.
Be clear about who you are and why you deserve to be considered for a role above your competition. What is your value proposition? Why should you be interviewed and subsequently hired?
Clarity is essential around dates, job titles and employer names. If you've worked for organizations that aren't household names, it can be beneficial to have a brief description of who they are and a link to their website. This is particularly useful if you have worked overseas or interstate. Also include with your qualification, the name of the institution(s) you studied at and the year you graduated.
Be concise - don't waste time and space by waffling. Write with precision. As most resumes are sent electronically these days, you can extend the depth of your resume through embedded links to your LinkedIn or Google profile, online portfolio or other dedicated web pages.
Make sure that what you include in your resume is relevant. If you've been an account manager for years, you don't need to list the duties of that part time burger-flipping job you had whilst you were at school.
There are a variety of styles to choose from when putting your resume together so do a bit of research and see what works for you. Your employment history does not necessarily have to be in chronological order. If you have taken a career break and spent a year rescuing elephants in Thailand or pouring Guinness in an Irish pub, don't put that up front. Break your employment history into 'professional experience' and 'other adventures' (or wording to that effect).
Remember to focus on your achievements. It is benefits that sell products, not features. That same principle applies to you. Sure, you were responsible for doing something, but how well did you do it? Let the reader know.
Resumes do not need to be boring. Make yours come to life by injecting your personality and your personal brand. If you are a designer, don't present a Word document nicely typed in a 10 point Times New Roman font. Include design elements! If you are a copywriter, then your words really should woo your reader.
In today's world we are constantly bombarded by marketing and advertising messages. Your resume is your marketing message so don't let it become part of the clutter - make sure it stands out. After all, it's there to sell the most important thing in the world - YOU!
(As published in Campaign Brief Magazine - March 2010)
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