Tips on Writing an Attention Grabbing Resume

A resume is typically a one page document detailing the qualifications you have for a specific job. A resume is a way that a job seeker can market themselves to possible employers, documenting their work history, education history and any relevant skills they may possess.

Companies receive hundreds of resumes for a job and they have the task of sifting through them all and cutting the pile down to just a few, and then cutting it down to a few more until they decide which ones to bring in for an interview. Some companies use computer software to sift through the resumes if they are done electronically, while others may still do them by hand.

As the job seeker, you want to make your resume stand out above the rest. You want it to gain the attention of the human resources staff who may be scanning through all of the resumes, and keep in mind that they may search for specific words or phrases and qualifications.

A Proper Resume Should Include:

• A professional example of your writing skills.
• Qualifications for the specific job that is hiring.
• Suggestions showing that you are friendly and will work well with others.
• Show that you have what it takes to meet the employers needs.
• Convince the employer that you are qualified and deserving of an interview.

The Resume Writing Process

The first thing you should do when writing a resume is plan ahead. Plan both the content and the format that you want to put into the resume. Do not worry about using fancy fonts or colors for your resume; this looks more unprofessional than eye catching.

Decide on the most appropriate format for your resume, the most appropriate sections, the chronological resume organization, and always tailor your resume to the specific job that you are applying for.

Resume Sections

You should start your resume with your contact information at the top, including your name, address, phone number and email. Always make sure that your email address is professional on a resume.

Objective of your Resume

The objective of your resume is a statement that you make about your future employment goals. Make this a clear and concise obective such as, "To work as a Medical Assistant in a hospital setting". This helps the employer match you to the specific job that you are looking for. You should tailor your objective as much as you possibly can to the job you are applying for. 

Profile In A Resume

A resume profile is becoming more common in resumes these days in place of an objective. Instead of making a list of specific skills that you may have, you can tailor your profile statement to emphasize skills and goals. An example of this is:

"Professional Medical Assistant with 1 year of experience working in a doctor office setting, in depth knowledge of medical terminology, medical office procedures and patient communication skills".

Job Qualifications

Here is where you want to showcase your skills and experience with a bulleted list. This list should include the knowledge you have of any computer software, years of experience in a field, any relevant degrees or credentials, accomplishments, and volunteer work.

This section may also be called Career Related Skills or Skills Summary. 

Work Experience

Jobs are typically listed in reverse chronological order on a resume. You should list the employer's name, address, job title, brief description of your job duties, and dates you were employed there. You should give specific measurement details of your work and accomplishments, or demonstrate your reliability if you held a job with more responsibility. 

If you have little to no work experience, list any part time or summer jobs you have had, along with any internships, volunteer work, school projects and community projects you may have helped with, along with the skills you may have developed.

Related Experience

This section is for any other experience that you think may be important to the job you are applying for. This can include any leadership positions you may have held, social groups, service groups, volunteer work and other activities that can demonstrate your willingness and ability to work well with others.

Education

Education is also listed in reverse chronological order listing technical schools, colleges and universities. You should include the years of attendance and any degrees you earned, along with certifications, training and seminars. If you have attended college you do not need to list your high school on your resume.

Optional Resume Sections

You may also include optional sections such as military service and references. If the employer specifically asks for references you should include them, however, it is perfectly fine not to have them attached to your resume. A simple, "References available upon request" is just fine

Edit Your Resume

Be sure to write each section using clear and concise language. You want to impress the person reading your resume with your accomplishments and use terminology that scanning software will catch and identify.

Keep your resume limited to one page, unless you have a lengthy amount of pertinent skills that need to be listed.

Use Power Words

Action statements are persuasive to a human that is reading your resume. When listing your skills and accomplishments, be sure to use action words such as:

Advise

Analyze

Assemble

Customize

Distribute

Edit

Lead

Influence

Plan

Prepare

Present

Provide

Record

Reduce

... and any one of the many, many action words available in the English language.

Proof read (again) and print.

*Don't forget to add a cover letter!