5 Ways to Write a Better Resume

Resume writing is a whole different animal, and I am not  professional resume writer. But I do have a resume that has gotten me jobs I wanted and liked, and that means my resume has been successful to some degree, and I have had part in hiring both in-house staff and freelancers. So I can at least offer some basic tips for beginners.

1. Use templates. Templates help you organize your resume in a predictable format. This is important because there is an unspoken standard format out there, and if you don’t use it, you lose. The one exception is if you are in the graphic arts; then you should take that standard format and improve on it and make it your own.  Standard resume format is one to two pages, but preferably one.
2. Learn to tease. Your resume should NOT give away the whole story. Give bits and pieces in a way that will make them want to ask you more – bare bones facts that intrigue. Tell them what you did, but not how. Make them ask you for an interview to find out the story.
3. Use action words. Be verbs are even worse in resumes. You can’t write a resume using sluggish, non-action verbs. You don’t have time for that. Resumes tell what you DO not what you ARE.
4. State an Objective. Just like any other sort of writing, your resume should have a point. What is it you want? State it, and phrase it so that the hiring manager sees how you can help them as well as they can help you.
5. Specialize. Resumes are not one-size-fits-all. Not even one-size-fits-most. You should have a base resume to work from and tailor it to each job application. Use the job description to guide you, and include every skill that is in both sets. Put yourself in their shoes, and put yourself in your competitor’s shoes. Invest some time. When you’re done tweaking, name the file in a way that will be helpful to both you and the hiring party, such as using your name and the job title.

Remember, your resume isn’t the whole picture, or they wouldn’t need an interview. Think of it as a slideshow of your accomplishments, and use your bullet points to create the whole picture of you as an employee. The trick is to make your resume stand out while still fitting in.

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