An industry-focused resume is your first step to a new job. When you hunt for a position, your first step is creating a persuasive and unique resume. There are right and wrong ways to complete your resume.
If you aren’t sure the proper way, look at a template or search the Internet for resume writing tips. You want your resume to look professional, contain all pertinent information, and be reader-friendly.
Your Resume Should be Precise and Organized
Include enough detailed information to show your value to the company and leave out the fluff. Be precise and to the point regarding your education, experience, attributes, and quality points.
Networking is essential, but the resume is what employers will look at first. Who you know may get the interview, but it doesn’t guarantee the job. What you have accomplished is what will get your foot in the door. If you hand over a sloppy resume, your chances of getting a job will be slim.
Steps to Create a Focused Resume
Your Resume is a Reflection of You
It is your history and is the first thing a potential company sees. Your resume is the first tangible point of communication between you and your potential employer. Selling yourself with this significant piece of paper will require powerful wording of your related skills and career accomplishments.
If your resume is well organized, current, and professional, this reflects the type of employee you are likely to be. Sell yourself not only by what the resume contains but by its appearance. Both the content and appearance are critical for your resume.
Keep Your Resume Up to Date
When hiring, employers and companies read through stacks of resumes. This is time-consuming, and sometimes time is what they don’t have. The more precise, organized, and shorter your resume, the easier it is for them to read.
Your resume allows the company to read the benefits of hiring you by explaining your skill sets and experience. It contains your contact information, allowing them to contact you easily. Keep your resume up to date—especially if you gain new knowledge or experience, change your contact information, or take new professional courses.
Focus on the Skills that Apply to the Job
A resume’s most crucial function is showcasing relevant skills and career achievements using keywords. A resume should contain all the reasons why the company should hire you. When you apply for a specific position, focus on the skills you have for that particular position.
For instance, if you are applying for a sales manager position, you will probably focus on your previous sales experience, a prior sales record, the professional courses you’ve taken, your related degree, and any other relevant experience you may have in the desired field.
It would add too much value to the company if you included your ability to repair automobiles. That is not the type of expertise they are looking for.
Construct the Right Kind of Resume
If you pursue a new job through the numerous online job boards, having an excellent, well-written, and professional resume is more important than ever. Create an eResume specifically for Internet applications.
Some companies prefer the resume to be submitted in Rich Text or PDF format. Make it editable to adjust to fit each position you apply for easily. Focus on the skills that are particular to each job function.
Be Grammatically Correct
Complete a spell check before printing, mailing, or submitting any form of your resume. Check the grammar, punctuation, formatting, and content. Ensure the resume content flows smoothly, is organized, and is easy to read.
The quicker an employer can review your resume, the quicker you may have the position you seek. An easy way to do this is to make a few lists before doing your resume. List your education, experience, specialized skills, and attributes. Create your resume in an outline form. The employer can then go down the list and easily read your information.
Need help polishing up your job search documents? Reach out to Candace for assistance!