Keys to Effective Resume Writing

The passport through the door for a job interview is a well written resume; but even writers find resume writing a difficult task to undertake.  It is critical for job seekers to know how to write a resume effectively in today's job market if they wish to receive that phone call for a meeting.

Why is writing a resume so tough?  It involves a combination of the following factors:

• presenting yourself in a positive way without sounding arrogant,

• summarizing your professional responsibilities, accomplishments and value on two pages or less, and

• making your case stand out above the rest, which takes some creativity.

Many people find it difficult to talk about their accomplishments when writing a resume, or don't know which information is most important to include. One way to get some ideas for a good resume is to look at sample resumes online, or find a resume writing book with resume examples.  When submitting a resume for a specific job opening, it should be tailored to coordinate your talents and experience with the ones described in the job posting.

Some important resume writing tips:

• Always include your name and contact information at the top of all pages.  A header in the upper corner with first initial, last name and phone number is sufficient beyond the first page.

• Have a well thought out, attention grabbing objective.

• Show, don't tell.  Describe how you did it, not just what you did.  Here is where you want to avoid making generic statements such as: "Answered phones, passed out mail and faxes."  Point out how you contributed, even if in small ways: "Implemented a mailbox system which streamlined distribution and increased productivity."

• Keep it to the point.  Employers don't want to read a book about your professional life; they want to see a summary of your qualifications to determine whether you might be a good fit for their organization.

If you find you are having trouble writing your resume, you might consider hiring a resume writer or working with a resume writing service to help you out, and there's no shame in it. Remember the most important thing about resume writing is not who does the writing, but whether the resume will get you the interview.