Here’s why your resume can make or break your job prospects
Are you looking for a job? Or are you planning to look for work in the near future?
Those questions represent the most common reasons someone would start looking at your resume and deciding if it needs to be updated. What most people find out over time is that their resume should always be updated, as job changes can happen suddenly and without warning. But most people wait until a resume is needed and it is at this point that the decision is made to try to refine and update it, or leave it as is and hope it is enough to attract the attention of a recruiter or hiring manager. . There is a misconception that because resumes are rarely mailed, they are not that important. However, many online application forms still request that a copy of the resume be uploaded for review.
A challenge for many people is knowing how to create an effective resume. You can do an internet search and find literally hundreds of articles and resources online that provide fairly standard methods for creating a resume; however, that can become overwhelming over time. Also, few people are very skilled writers, and misspelled sentences with numerous spelling and grammatical errors can make a bad impression. You should be aware of the fact that when you submit a resume it takes your place and represents you as a person, with no guarantee of getting an interview, and that means your resume can make or break your job prospects before you can. get to talk to someone about it.
Typical misconceptions
One of the first misconceptions people have about using resumes is that they are never actually read, especially when there are online application forms that need to be completed. While this cannot be proven in any way, I know from my own experience as a professional writer that most recruiters look at received resumes because they provide an overview of the candidate’s attention to, or lack thereof, details such as the style and type of writing.
Another common mistake is that a resume must be one page in full length. I’m not sure how that idea got popular or why it has remained so ingrained as it ultimately serves little purpose for most candidates and can work to the detriment of a job seeker. The reason is that a one-page resume, for a person who has a fairly broad experience, can sell them short. This type of resume will leave critical information or be written in a font size that is not easy to read.
Other misconceptions include using a resume goal and writing detailed job descriptions. A job objective is usually a statement of what the candidate would like to do or the specific job they are looking for. The reason this is not necessary is that the cover letter should express interest in the position and does not need to be stated again. Additionally, many mission statements are so specific that the candidate would be excluded from other potential positions that may be related to the job advertised. Also, many jobs that I have seen listed on resumes include words that come from job descriptions or that have been written as standard words of these types of descriptions, and that does not necessarily explain the skills the candidate has and may contain jargon that is not it is easy to understand for everyone who reads it.
Skill sets or a chronological list?
Another important decision to make about developing a resume is the format to follow, and the most common approach is to use a chronological style. This approach lists each job in chronological order or by date, and the most current job is listed at the top of the page. The inherent problem with this type of resume is that the focus is on what the candidate is doing now without drawing attention to the skills they have acquired throughout their entire career.
My approach to resume writing involves using a skill-set-based approach and that means that when a recruiter or hiring manager opens the resume, they first read the skill sets that have been acquired throughout the career. of the candidate. More importantly, the skill sets listed are directly related to the job or career the candidate is interested in. This can change the whole perspective of the candidate when viewed by a potential employer, as they now see you beyond the current job you have. This is an especially useful approach for anyone who is interested in changing jobs or careers.
The Anatomy of an Impactful Resume
What gives you an impact on the resume, when it comes to standing out from other submitted resumes? It is an easily readable resume, displays skill sets that are immediately identified as related to the advertised position, and highlights significant accomplishments and accomplishments. A chronological resume emphasizes what a person is doing now; whereas, a skill set resume represents what a person can transfer from their entire career to this new role. An impactful resume also includes a career summary at the beginning, rather than a career objective, and this provides career highlights that are relevant to any position. Finally, a highly effective resume will be well written and formatted, paying meticulous attention to every little detail.
Why Invest in a Professional Writer?
Most people are not fully equipped for the task of developing a resume that meets all of the criteria listed above and that is why a professional resume writer is needed. However, my experience has found that you do not contact a professional writer until you have tried to improvise, so to speak, and you have not obtained the desired results. In other words, few or no business calls have been received. There is a hesitancy to pay the cost of a resume writer, especially when a person is unemployed, and I certainly understand the financial limitations of that situation. What I have found is that anyone in need of a job should also make this investment, as it is an investment in a career that can yield long-term results.
Finding a reliable resume writer is the next challenge for anyone who decides it’s time to make the investment. A good resume writer should have a history of writing and editing experience, along with knowledge of recruiting and hiring practices. What credentials determine an effective resume writer? There are resume writing certifications available and that certainly shows commitment to the job. My background is different from that, as I have advanced education and experience as an educator, writer, and author. The most important element is that anyone working in this type of industry must have some evidence of writing experience.
Another distinguishing feature is the fee that a resume writer charges. I know of many writers who charge exorbitant fees and then guarantee that their resumes will produce jobs or job calls. I don’t think anyone can guarantee results based solely on the resume; However, what a resume can do is present the best a candidate has to offer and help generate interest. My clients have told me that after receiving a resume that I wrote, they started getting more calls from work. It was then up to them to speak well and encourage the potential employer to consider them further. I have also found that another benefit of having a professionally written resume is that it provides a confidence boost as the person sees themselves in a better light as they are reminded of the skills and qualities they possess.
I am often asked for resume samples and that is another way that I can distinguish my resume writing service from others as each resume written is custom made, rather than using templates. What I can do is describe my approach to writing a resume and provide an overview of the process and format of the new resume. I also took another step and got my business certified by the Better Business Bureau as it confirms when the business was founded and provides an overall rating. This does not guarantee the quality of the services provided; however, it offers some security when someone is interested in hiring me to write their resume.
If you are interested in developing your career, regardless of the type of industry you are currently in or the job you have now, you need a resume that represents you in the best possible way. Once you submit a resume, you won’t have a second chance to resubmit it, and what the potential employer considers determines their initial impression of you, your career, and your background. Whether you fill out an online form and upload a resume, or submit a resume directly, you need to connect it to the potential job by demonstrating that you have acquired the necessary skills, training, education, or other similar qualifications. Your resume can help your prospect be considered or get disqualified. That’s the power a resume has for you and your career.
