Resume writing is much more than opening your word processor and typing up a summary of your work history. Having your resume professionally written not only produces a strong marketing document, but it also gives you more confidence. Additionally, you gain a partner who measures success by your success. Simply put, my business is not successful unless my clients are successful.

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1. Determine what you are trying to accomplish.

Make sure you have a clear goal in mind. Hiring managers are too busy to try to figure out what you want to accomplish.

Writing a general, one-size fits all resume won’t cut it in today’s competitive job market. You have to make an effort to stand apart from everyone else.

If you don’t know what you want to do, STOP and figure it out. You cannot create an awesome, knock-your-socks-off resume without a goal. If you are struggling with this, enlist the help of someone to brainstorm with you.

2. Find out the industry keywords that are “hot” in your career field and put them into your resume.

Why do this?

Because more and more companies are using automated databases to store resumes. When they need to hire someone, they find potential candidates by utilizing key word phrases (sort of how you search on Google using a keyword). If you are using the right keywords, your resume will be included in the top contenders.

You can find the keyword phrases by searching monster.com or hotjobs.com for the job you want to apply to. Read several postings from all regions of the county and look for the qualifications and duties.

For instance, I looked up “executive assistant” and found the following phrases that seemed to be repeating:

* Microsoft office proficient
* Setting up appointments
* travel arrangements
* correspondence, presentations, and reports
* prepare/edit executive PowerPoint presentations
* arranging travel, scheduling meetings
* prepare high quality presentations and reports
* proficient to expert level of ability in the MS Office suite

As you can see, there is emphasis on the MS Office programs, scheduling, and presentations. So you MUST include those words in your resume.

3. Always include a cover letter detailing the exact position you are interested in, where you saw the job listing, and why you are interested, not just that you are interested.

Doing this will automatically make you stand apart from everyone else and will make it clear to the hiring manager what you have to offer and what you are seeking.

It’s amazing what a well-written and nicely presented resume can do for your job search. Before you send yours out, follow this checklist to ensure you are sending out an excellent quality representation of yourself.

1. Grammar, spelling, punctuation - Use the grammar and spell check function, then print it out and read the document word for word. Spell checker doesn’t know that you meant “manager” when you actually typed “manger.”

2. Capitalization - Use a manual such as the Gregg Reference Manual if you do not know capitalization rules.

3. Punctuation - Check for proper use of commas and semi-colons. Again, if you are unsure, refer to the Gregg Reference Manual.

4. Run-on sentences - Check to make sure you do not have run-ons that are hard to read.

5. Consistency - You must be consistent with your number usage (dates, money, numbers), plurals, and abbreviations. For example, don’t list one date as 8/2004 and then list another date as 3/15/2004. Also, be aware of listing software consistently (abbreviation use). MS Word and Microsoft Outlook are both correct, but not consistent.

6. Education section - When you have a degree, list only the year that you obtained your degree. When you list your dates, (i.e.: 9/1998 to 1/2002) many resume-scanning systems will not recognize that you obtained a degree, only that you attended college for a period of time.

7. Ampersands - Ampersands (&) do not belong on a resume. There are a few exceptions. One exception is a well-known company name (AT&T). Another exception is well-known industry terms (P&L).

8. Hyperlinks - All e-mail and web addresses that you list need to be deactivated in your resume. To do this in MS Word, highlight the link, go to the “Insert” drop down menu, scroll down to and click “Hyperlink”, and on the lower left-hand side of this screen there should be a little button that says “Remove link”, when you find it, give it a little click and voila! Alternatively, you can highlight the link, right click on it, and scroll down to “remove link” to deactivate the link.

Avoid these costly resume mistakes!

Using a general resume.

DON’T DO IT! You cannot successfully use the same resume to apply to several different jobs.

Your resume should be custom written for each job you are targeting. When you send out something generic, it shows apathy and lack of motivation. This is NOT the impression you want to send to your potential employers.

Irrelevant content.

For example, if you are applying for an accounting position, don’t list your lifeguard position you held back in 1989.

Spouses, children, hobbies, and your favorite movie genre are also irrelevant tidbits that should remain private.

Creative fonts.

Even if your choice looks easy to read on your screen, it may not be on someone else’s screen.

For example, if I use Arial, Verdana, or Times New Roman, anyone with MS Word can view these fonts. If I were to use my cool Futurama Alien Font, most likely it would look all jumbled up on someone else’s system.

“References Available Upon Request”

This statement is unnecessary. An employer assumes that if you are job searching that you have professional references readily available.

Objective statement.

Your resume needs a clear goal, but the traditional objective statement is outdated. Hiring managers don’t care that you want a “challenging position utilizing my experience and creativity…”

Everyone knows the objective is to get the interview. Instead, try using a headline followed by a compelling summary of your relevant skills. This is a better way to present what you have to offer your potential employer.

Using a resume to replace a job application.

A resume is not a job application. The reason for leaving your last job, previous supervisors’ names, and rate of pay don’t belong on your resume. This is information can hurt you more than help you, so leave it off of your resume.

Figure out what you want to do.

You can’t write an effective resume if you have no job target. What I mean by this is you need to tailor your resume to the specific job you want to apply to. Gone are the days of sending out 400 copies of the same resume.

Make a list of the jobs you have held that have relevance to the new job target.

If none exists, what skills did you acquire from those jobs that apply to the one you are seeking? For instance, if you are applying for an administrative assistant position, it is possible that your fast food job does not apply and should be left off. However, one exception would be if you were in a managerial position and had restaurant paperwork you were responsible for (like inventory, ordering, reports, and bank deposits).

Know what things you should NOT put on your resume. (See Common Resume Mistakes).

Make sure you stand out without being excessive.

Start with a blank page (no templates) and work on a design.

Now is not the time to be overly colorful or super creative. Put yourself in the shoes of a hiring manager. Imagine you have received 345 e-mails from job seekers within 12 hours of posting a position. What would catch your eye? Think of what would be a refreshing change and go for it.

Now for the actual resume content. There are typically five basic sections in a resume.

* Contact Information - Powerful and complete.

* Headline - State what you are offering.

* Skills Summary - Quickly highlight your relevant skills.

* Professional Experience - Relevant and accomplishment oriented. Use action verbs to start your sentences and avoid the word “I”.

* Education - List college or trade schools only. Leave off high school unless you are a recent graduate without experience.

Notice I did not list objective statement. For the reason why, visit my section on common resume mistakes.

Proofread it, have your friends proofread it, and then do it two more times.

I want to stress how important it is to do this. Check for spelling errors that the spell checker missed. Print it out and review it, because this seems to make you read over it more thoroughly. Watch out for poor grammar, punctuation errors, and redundancy.

Always send it with a cover letter.

Address the cover letter specifically to the company and job posting. Make a note of how you heard of the opening and why you are the best candidate. Hit the highlights of what you have to offer them so they are intrigued and interested in reading your resume.

A resume is a self-promotional document that presents you in the best possible light, for the purpose of being invited to a job interview.

Why choose a professional resume writer?

Your resume has only 10 to 15 seconds on average to impress an employer.

Hiring managers receive hundreds of resumes every day. In just a few seconds (a mere glance) they will decide whether or not to call a candidate for an interview. If your resume is not conveying the right message, it will land-up where most do - the garbage can. Hiring a professional resume writer will secure more interviews for you.

Keywords

Many companies currently utilize an automated resume database. These databases are basically resume mines. When a vacancy arises, keywords are used to find the right resumes from among the thousands stored in these systems. If your resume does not contain the right keywords, it will never be found during such searches.

Marketing

A resume is not a just typed sheet. It is a strategic tool used to enhance your chances of getting a job. Are you reaching your target audience? How is your advertising working out for you?

A professionally written resume shortens the overall job search time.

A well-written, keyword-rich, resume not only impresses employers, but it also reduces the overall time it takes to find a job. Good resumes get the interviews, and the more interviews you get, the higher your chances are to become employed.

So you were thinking you might write your own resume?

That’s okay, if the following applies to you:

* You are an excellent writer.
* You are adept in grammar and spelling rules.
* You have a solid understanding of the telegraphic writing style (which eliminates the use of personal pronouns, such as “I” and “me” and articles such as “the” and “a”).
* You are an expert MS Word user.
* You keep up to date on industry trends.
* You are knowledgeable of resume layout and design.
* You know what information is relevant on a resume.
* You know what information is NOT relevant on a resume.
* You can devote several days to the resume writing process (research, preparation, writing, and editing).

Many people find they do not have the time or resources to write a professional resume that will get them results. You might also realize along the way (like many do) that hiring a professional resume writer will actually SAVE you money!

How you ask?

Imagine you have recently become unemployed and your previous salary was $34,000 annually and you are looking to remain at the same salary. Every week of unemployment equates to losing $653.85 in potential wages.

The average out-of-work American is unemployed for 18 weeks. So using the assumed $34,000 annual salary, you could lose $11,769.30 in potential wages.

On the other hand, people that have utilized my professional resume writing services have reported getting hired on average within 5 weeks.

That’s a savings of over $8,500!!

Here’s an analogy for you.

I can change the tires or the oil on my car. However, I would need to devote a lot of time and effort into learning how to replace my transmission. A mechanic on the other hand could have it done in a day or two because they have the tools, knowledge, and resources necessary to get it done properly.

Since I am not a mechanic, not only will it take me well over a week, but I may not even do it correctly (and consequently cost myself even more time and money).

So the next time you think it’s too expensive to have a resume professionally written, you need to ask yourself, “What does your resume cost.”

Jobseekers often ask me what the difference is between a standard resume and a telecommute resume. So I have compiled this short article to explain those differences.

1. Telecommute resumes have to stand out.

Recruiters and hiring mangers are flooded with resumes when they post a telecommute job. I spoke to a recruiter that stated he gets between 750 and 1,000 resumes, each day, every time he posts a project. It starts to taper off a little after the third day. So after just three days, he could easily have more than 2,000 resumes to sort through.

Because of this, you absolutely have to have a resume that stands apart from the crowd. I don’t mean that you should add all kinds of clipart and colorful graphics - so don’t go crazy. You should take time to make sure your information is presented in an easy to read and eye-pleasing format. You will need to emphasize your skills, particularly your ability to work independently, and your time management skills.

2. Telecommute resumes are highly scrutinized.

You are competing with people all over the country instead of just local applicants. The telecommuting employer has the “cream of the crop” to choose from. They are going to analyze and make judgments on what they find in your resume.

You have to pay extra attention to spelling and grammar errors. Make sure you aren’t using the word, “I” anywhere on your resume. Pay attention to where you place commas, and remember to end your sentences with a period.

Don’t rely on MS Word to teach you proper grammar, those little green lines look intimidating, but you can make them go away (see below). Instead, refer to a manual such as the Gregg Reference Manual or some online manual.

3. Telecommute resumes have to take the place of you.

The hiring manager is not going to be able to meet you. They may call you for a phone interview, but they will make most of their hiring decision based on your resume alone. You want to make sure to cover everything you think is applicable, and leave off information that isn’t. Read over your resume and think about what impression you will make.

In addition, if you have taken any online certification tests, (offered at Brainbench.com) be sure to add that information. If you belong to professional associations, (like the International Virtual Assistants Association) be sure to note that on your resume. Going the extra mile might make the difference between a regretful e-mail, and “you’re hired.”
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How to make those green squiggly lines go away:

In Word 2002, go to the “Tools” menu and scroll down to “Options.” When you click on “Options” a new window will open up that has several tabs to choose from. Select the “Spelling and Grammar.” Look for the check box that says, “hide grammatical errors in this document.” Check the box and hit the “OK” button. Voila! All of the little misleading lines have vanished.

I’m often asked how long you should wait before following up on a resume submitted in response to a telecommuting position. You want them to know you are interested, but there is a fine line between pestering the hiring manager and showing your enthusiasm. Here are some tips to guide you.

A week is a reasonable time to wait for a reply from the hiring manager. Hiring managers will receive, on average, around 300 resumes in response to a position after just 12 hours of posting it online! Give it a week to calm down and then send your follow up e-mail (because e-mails are less intrusive phone calls.

Make sure to hit the following key points in your letter:

1. Ask if the position has been filled.

2. Reiterate your interest in the position.

3. Express your continued interest in working for their company (in case the position was filled).

4. Ask for an interview.

5. Give them your phone number again so they have it at their finger tips.

6. Thank them for their time and attention (because you know how valuable it is).

Attach and send your resume again as a reminder. If your resume was buried in the pile, they will appreciate the follow up. You will appear to be a focused and motivated professional worth receiving a second review. It might even get you the interview because most jobseekers overlook the power of good follow up!

In addition, if they decided you weren’t a match, this will obligate them to let you know that you were not selected. Then, you can either move on or continue to pursue employment with them at a later date. You never know, the new hire might not work out for them.

If you need help creating your resume follow up letter, here is a sample template I found by Heather Eager of ResumeLines.com.

Change it to meet your needs and to make sure you hit all six key points discussed above.

If you have more than one goal, knowing which direction to take your career can be quite the dilemma. Many job-seekers are looking in more than one area of expertise, and their resumes often reflect that. The problem with this is that it can be confusing for those searching to fill a position.

Of course, most employers hope to hire multi-taskers, but many times having a varied assortment of skills listed on your resume can work against you. What you need to do is focus your resume to suit a particular career, even if this means creating a different resume for each different job pursuit.

So, I really need more than one resume?

If your career pursuits are similar, one resume might be all you need. However, if you’re looking in different, unrelated sections of the classified during your job search, you’ll have to have a different resume for each job goal.

When you write a generic resume for all of your career goals, your resume may be too extensive. Employers are looking for someone who is focused. You want the person in charge of hiring to look at your resume and know immediately you’re the right candidate to call in for the interview. Any uncertainty on the part of the hiring manager means the resume is destined for the trash bin. Recruiters and hiring managers simply don’t have time to waste reading wordy or confusing resumes.

Another way to tell if you need to write more than one resume is to give your resume a good review. Better yet, have a trusted friend or relative go over your resume. Are your goals confusing? Are your skills across the board? Would a hiring manager have any trouble figuring out what it is you actually do? If so, you’re in need of more than one resume.

I sent out my resumes…now what?

You need to know if your resume is effective. How can you tell if you have an effective resume? One way is through tracking. It’s not enough to create a resume and send it off. To be fully successful in your job hunt, you’ll want to keep track of where it went and the type of response it received.

When you’re ready to send out your resumes, make a spreadsheet or grab a notebook to list some information. List the date, the type of resume sent, and where it went. In addition to helping you remember where you applied, it will also help you to see how effective each resume actually is.

For instance, are you being called back for interviews more for one resume over another? Are you getting call backs, or are your resumes being ignored? Keeping track of where resumes were sent, when, and the response (or lack of response) to each one will help in your job search.

If you find you’re not receiving as many responses to your resume as you had hoped, don’t be dismayed. It just means a little more fine tuning is in order. Your primary goal is to catch the eye of the hiring manager. You simply can’t do this with a generic resume.