“Your resume is a factual document about your history” says Marci Mahoney in her book  Strategic Resumes. As a job seeker you are expected to use a resume that would apparently individualize you.

Here are few things that you must remember

• Tailor your own resume.
• Great resume alone cannot get you great job.
• “An effective resume is a sales Tool. You are selling your skills or services-your ability to work” by Lesikar and Flatley.
• Unfortunately your resume cannot be an autobiography but a sales campaign document.
• Use key words precisely to describe your Skills.

Before you draft your resume…

Personal Inventory:

A self analysis is a look through approach. This involves studying yourself as a person (like the product). Looking for the best person to help you? Stand in front of the mirror…yes you caught me right. You are the best person to know about you. Here, list all information about you. Study your abilities, competency, aptitude, attitude, your goals, plans and experiences.

Job Analysis:

• Learn about the job profile you are looking for, know the skills designed or suited for the job profile you would like to apply for, visualize the   framework /big picture of your career.
• Learn about the company, its policies, its plans, its ethics, and its work culture.

Steps to Construct your Resume

• Now carefully define your objective, choose your skills and experiences that would meet the requirements of the job.
• Include the background information and incidental details about you. (Like education, personal details)
• Design your resume for a quick reading.
• Present the detailed outline of your education (University/Institution, degree/course, dates, and major specialized field)
• Structure your employment history effectively (firms, designations or responsibilities, dates, professional records or accomplishments).
• Sketch your personal details (interests, achievements)
• Include other special information under apt titles/subheadings (ex. Education, Employment History, Skills Acquired/Personal Merits or Qualities)

A Quick Glance

• Sketch a statement of objective effectively. Keep it short and candid.
• Add only appropriate skills and achievements.
• Seek permission of authorities before your list them in references-A sign of good etiquette.
• Use precise action verbs to strengthen and market your skills.
• A well chosen action verb can communicate your need in job description.
• Avoid personal pronoun, write your resume in impersonal tone.
• Design your resume in reader friendly approach/eye appeal.
• Update your resumes to meet your changing job profile.

No, No Please!

• Do not crowd your resume with inappropriate skills (list the best skills that would find you a place in job market).
• Remember! A great resumes do not come in great length.
• At the most two pages of resume will feature you at your best (this is the limited space)

References

• Mahoney Marci, Strategic Resumes 2004, Crisp publications Inc, Menlo park, USA
• Lesikar V Raymond and Flatley E Marie Basic Business Communication 2004, Tata McGraw publishing Company, New Delhi