What are your best resume tips?

12 replies
Are there any specific words I should use? Do you have any examples of a well-worded resume? Any other tips?
#resume #tips
  • Profile picture of the author gjabiz
    Originally Posted by James Liberty View Post

    Are there any specific words I should use? Do you have any examples of a well-worded resume? Any other tips?
    It is a sales piece. Most follow a design or form, but like copy, you can surprise your reader, but not so much it scares them off.

    Each resume should be personally written for the reader.

    The more you know about your target, the better you can do. A larger corp will have some layers, someone sifts the resumes out, then passes on the resume to a decision maker, some times as many as 5 people will read it and all are looking for reasons to say yes or NO.

    I taught my resume writing students to spend as much time researching the company, probably more, than it takes to write it.

    gjabiz

    PS. A resume IS a piece of direct marketing copy. As for words, know the industry jargon, some companies are like a foreign language, use words they use in their business.
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    • Profile picture of the author angiecolee
      Originally Posted by gjabiz View Post

      It is a sales piece.
      I second this wholeheartedly.

      I'm proud to say every resume I've written on behalf of friends and clients has resulted in job offers. And you know why? Because a resume is a sales piece. Its only job is to tell such an interesting story that you get to the next round.

      It is a way for you to explain your goals, by highlighting how everything you've done in the past has a clear link to where you're going in the future. You connect the dots for them, even if what you did in the past was never intended to lead to where you're going.

      You tell your story. You make yourself the hero. You use action-oriented words... none of that "responsibilities include" bullshit. You qualify and quantify achievements. And if you find it hard to write positive things about yourself, turn to a trusted friend who can help you talk about yourself in the best light.

      The resume gets your foot in the door. It's a lead Gen tool, basically. Then you have to get in there and close the deal.
      .
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      Aspiring copywriters: if you need 1:1 advice from an experienced copy chief, head over to my Phone a Friend page.

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  • Profile picture of the author laurencewins
    Clarity is the single most important key to a successful resume.
    I am a former recruiter and telemarketing manager and have looked at a few thousand resumes. I have also helped people improve their existing resumes. So I know this topic from all angles.

    The first objective is that you want the person to read your resume and not delete it and you only get 10 seconds to get them to do one or the other.

    Don't write 10 pages of garbage. Don't write your high school achievements if you were at high school 20+ years ago.

    Summarise what you do in bullet points and use a standard format.

    I could write pages more on this topic. I actually did write a book on it.

    Let me know if you have more specific questions, here or in pm.
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    Cheers, Laurence.
    Writer/Editor/Proofreader.

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    • Profile picture of the author JonReyes
      Use *action words*.

      IE:
      "Oganized ____"
      "Delegated ____"
      "Utilized ____"
      "Exercised ____"
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  • Profile picture of the author Jason Kanigan
    Use your real estate effectively.

    In the top third of the first page of your resume, summarize what you bring to the table.

    The reader may never get past that section if you don't make it easy and interesting for them. All the rest is simply backup to what you say in the attention-grabber here.

    This works best when you know your resume is going to be read by an actual human being, not an optical scanner.
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  • Profile picture of the author sdliverpool
    My top tips

    - If offline attach an passport image which puts a face to the name
    - Use bullets where possible you want make it as easy as possible to read
    - Introduction on top
    - No more than 2 pages is an absolute rule
    - Include anything that makes you stand out
    - Anything you want to discuss in an interview have it on your resume
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    • Profile picture of the author angiecolee
      Originally Posted by sdliverpool View Post

      My top tips

      - If offline attach an passport image which puts a face to the name
      - Use bullets where possible you want make it as easy as possible to read
      - Introduction on top
      - No more than 2 pages is an absolute rule
      - Include anything that makes you stand out
      - Anything you want to discuss in an interview have it on your resume
      I disagree strenuously with including a photo. The U.S. is very litigious, and a photo could be grounds for discrimination. Many recruiters I know won't look at photos for that reason.
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      • Profile picture of the author BudaBrit
        Originally Posted by angiecolee View Post

        I disagree strenuously with including a photo. The U.S. is very litigious, and a photo could be grounds for discrimination. Many recruiters I know won't look at photos for that reason.
        This is a big cultural difference. In the UK, I never attached a photo, but in Europe, if there's no photo, it won't be read. Simple as.

        Professional photo and contact details at the top and then launch into your "story".
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        • Profile picture of the author grantveronica
          Just make it sound and look professional of course. Think of it like you're selling yourself professionally. You have to put your best asset on top and the least but still necessary data below. Your career objective or personal profile must be really really catchy. It's the short summary of your entire resume. Make sure that, for example, you write there in the career objective or personal profile, that you're proficient in a particular skill, you MUST justify it in the skills section or in your work experience. All data you put in your resume must have proofs seen in your resume too. The photo of course must be formal.
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  • Profile picture of the author DavidTile
    Include a mission statement at the top that briefly says where you've been and where you see yourself going. That being said, the stronger resumes are built on a foundation of accomplishments and experience.
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  • I have one tip when it comes to writing cover letters... It's more a "do not do" than a "do," though.

    The biggest thing I see people do wrong with cover letters is being too "stiff" and formal.

    You know the tone that your high school guidance counseller told you to use?

    Like...

    "Dear Sir Or Madam,

    I'm a hard working and self motivated student of English literature seeking employment with blah blah blah etc... etc..."


    Writing your cover letter like THAT is the fastest track to getting your resume in the trash.

    Why?

    Two reasons:

    1. That's how everyone writes their CVs... It won't stand out.

    2. It's just a dry and un-persuasive style.

    About two years ago I wrote this one standard proposal template that I now use in over half of my proposals (in slightly modified form for each niche).

    It's totally informal, totally "unprofessional," even a little bit crude... but it works.

    I always get a very high response rate with it and often people simply comment on the fact that it made them LAUGH.

    If you can do that (without crossing the invisible line and going into 'weird' territory) you're golden.

    Remember, it's always better to come across as a human being than to come across as "polished" but faceless.
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    • Profile picture of the author Sajun Becker
      Going off of the previous idea that your resume is an exercise in salesmanship - you might want to try supplementing your resume with something "extra."

      I'm not talking about a gimmick (like Tobias sending glitter-stuffed resumes in Arrested Development); I'm talking about including a nugget of personalization.

      I agree that a photo isn't in professional taste (and very well might disqualify you from a fair chance), however something like a card or banner with your business information might be extremely memorable to your potential employer.

      If you're in a particular niche business, you might send along a sample product (like a fully written sales page, written for the company your applying for).

      Make sure you do intensive research on your potential company/client/boss and get a feel for the market he or she's in.

      The key idea is to be tasteful and tactful, don't send along an envelope of cash and a bottle of wine, that will come off as desperate bribery, and a bit creepy to boot.

      Good luck.
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