Saturday 28 October 2006 @ 11:14 pm
Many people arrive at my “writing help” Websites looking for help with writing their resume or c.v. Although I don’t specialize in resume writing, I do end up writing a number of them each year when requested by clients.
Following is an article I wrote that is based on both my personal and professional experiences writing resumes over the years. If you follow these 10 Tips you won’t go wrong.
Here are 10 useful tips for anyone writing their own resume, or who is having someone else write their resume for them. These tips and strategies are an abridged version of what is contained in my eBook, “Instant Home Writing Kit”.
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Keep It Focused and Businesslike
A resume should be specific and all business. Don’t try to be too smart or cute. After all, you are asking an employer to invest significant time and money by choosing you over many other similarly qualified people. Employers mainly want to know whether you are appropriately qualified and experienced, and if you have the ability to “deliver the goods.” -
More Than Two Pages Is Too Much
For students, recent graduates, or people with just a few years of experience, try to limit your resume to one page, two as an absolute maximum. Even a resume for someone with 20 years or more of extensive working experience, should not exceed three pages. In some cases, one or two “optional” pages can be referred to as “available upon request.” These would be such optional annexes as a list of references or an inventory of recent projects and/or publications. -
Get the Words and Punctuation Right
Make sure the grammar, spelling, and punctuation in your resume are perfect. Any obvious mistakes will hurt your credibility. Also, be sure to keep the language clear and simple. If you draft it yourself, have someone with excellent writing skills do an editorial review and a careful proofread of it. If a professional prepares it for you, such reviews are the responsibility of the resume preparation firm. Use an accepted English language “style guide” if you want to be sure of the finer points of word usage, punctuation, capitalization, abbreviations, etc. -
Read Between the Lines
Customize the resume to match the stated requirements of the job that you are applying for, without being misleading. Review and analyze the job advertisement carefully. Look for, and itemize the key qualifications, skills, and abilities the employer is seeking. Then identify certain “key words” that are usually repeated in such ads. Make sure that the wording and sequence of points in your resume reflect and address these “corporate terminologies” and “code words” as much as possible. When possible, study the company’s annual report and Website, and weave the themes and terms found there into your resume and cover letter. -
Make Sure It Looks Good
Use a crisp, clean, simple presentation format for a professional looking resume. Just a bit of simple line work and/or shading, done with standard word processing software will do the trick. If you don’t have the aptitude for this, there is most likely someone among your friends or in your office who can help you achieve a professional presentation. If not, seek professional advice. It won’t cost much for a good simple layout, but it will make a world of difference to the product. -
Show What Can You Do Today
Focus, first and foremost, on your recent experience that is most relevant to the position at hand. Less relevant and/or dated experience should be either eliminated or summarized in brief point form near the end of your resume. When reviewing your resume information, a prospective employer wants to know what you are doing now, what you have done recently, and how that relates to the job requirements of the post they are trying to fill. -
Be A Straight-Shooter
Be completely honest. When people lie or “creatively exaggerate” on their resume, they are almost invariably exposed, sooner or later. Think about it - who really wants to get a job based on a lie(s) and then have to live in fear of eventually being found out? We often read in the newspaper about high-profile folks who get caught in a resume falsehood or exaggeration, and what happens after that isn’t very pretty. -
Follow the Instructions
Submit your resume in exactly the form that the prospective employer requests. If they say e-mail or fax is okay, do it that way. However, if they ask for it by regular mail, send it the way they ask. They must have reasons for requesting it in such a form and they are geared up to process it that way. If your resume is to be sent by snail mail, use the complete address that they specify, or it could go to the wrong office, especially in a large organization. -
Don’t Get Lost In the Mail
Be careful to respect certain conventions that the prospective employer may require in your resume. For example, make sure that the cover letter mentions the exact name of the specific position you are applying for, and the competition number, if applicable. Sometimes an employer will request that the job title and/or number be printed on the outside of the envelope. You would not want to miss out on a job because you didn’t follow minor administrative requirements. -
Don’t Repeat Yourself
In the cover letter, don’t repeat what is already detailed in the body of the attached resume. It is a “cover” letter. It should be short and to the point. Introduce yourself first, and then briefly summarize why you believe that you have the qualifications and experience to fulfill the duties of the position better than anyone else. Express enthusiasm about the job and the company. Close by stating how you are looking forward to hearing more from them soon, and that you will follow-up if necessary.
The above list can be used as a “checklist” during the preparation phase, and when reviewing your resume just before submission.
To see some fully-formatted “real-life templates” of a number of resumes, click on the following link:
www.writinghelp-central.com/sample-resumes.html
— By Shaun Fawcett PermaLink
October 29th, 2006 at 10:14 pm
Dear Mr. Fawcett,
Words are not enough to express my sincerest thanks for all the support, guidance, and learning I have been getting from you - all for free.
I just would like you to know that I will never forget you and these things you have given. Although I am receiving these directly via my email address but there are many friends and associates who equally appreciate them because I share the information to them. And they are also very thankful.
Again, thank you so much. Take care and be happy.
October 29th, 2006 at 11:38 pm
Respected Mr. Fawcett,
This article has been written very well. I have learnt a lot of new things.
Thanking You.
Regards,
Ranadeb Ray.
October 30th, 2006 at 1:48 am
These are very valuable tips for those writing resumes.
It’s very positive that those of us with experience in the area can give something back to assist those who are beginning, or trying to begin their careers.
Thanks Shaun.
October 30th, 2006 at 3:49 am
Dear Sir Fawcett,
Once again, my heartfelt thanks for you kindness and generousity. Giving me the necessary inputs for writing and correspondences is indeed a valuable one.
More power to you and have a nice day.
October 30th, 2006 at 6:42 am
Dear Sir,
Thanks a lot for your tips. I highly appreciate your efforts.
Best Regards,
Muhammed Khaja Salahuddin Nayar
October 30th, 2006 at 9:04 pm
Dear Mr.Fawcett
Thank you very much for sending me your tips. I highly appreciate every email that you have sent to me. I find everything very useful. I don’t have enough words to express my gratitude to you. I just can’t thank you enough.
I wish you all the best.
Edlira Malaj
October 31st, 2006 at 1:26 am
Thanks a bunch, Mr. Faucett…
October 31st, 2006 at 1:59 am
Thanks for sending me an informative mail. I highly appreciate each mail that has been sent by you . Every thing which you are sending is highly useful and important as well. I express my warm gratitude to you.
Thanks once again.
October 31st, 2006 at 5:26 am
Thanx…that info really helps me…
please send more..
October 31st, 2006 at 5:51 am
Thanks a lot for your tips. I highly appreciate your efforts.
Best Regards,
GirmaG.
October 31st, 2006 at 8:32 am
Dear Mr. Fawcett,
That’s incredible that today there are still experts willing to share their knowledge and experience with others. I have learnt many useful tips from your articles. I find your advices very helpful and professional.
October 31st, 2006 at 10:56 pm
Dear Mr. Fawcett!
Thank you very much for everyhting !
Your guidance is really very helpful for me!
I wish all the best !
Sincerely, Aichurek
November 1st, 2006 at 4:24 am
Dear Mr. Fawcett,
I really appreciate what you have done for my writing guide! I’m so lucky to get help from you and learn a lot of practical writing skills!
Best regards!
Sincerely,
Lucy
November 2nd, 2006 at 11:43 am
Thanks to u my maiden book is about to be publish.I am so grateful.
george
November 2nd, 2006 at 12:12 pm
Dear Mr Fawcett,
Thanks a million for the 10 tips, they have tremenduosly increased my writing skill of which i am very greatful.
Once again thank you.
Sincerely yours
joseph Asa
November 4th, 2006 at 4:43 am
Hi. Hon Fawcet
We are not able express our gratitude to you well enough in this short mail. Our organization, a communty Information Resource Center has used used most of your teachings in transforming the writing skills of our people. We offer free trainings and ICT services to the Community around Lake Victoria Region, East Africa, Kenya.
Thank you and receive their appreciation.
Tom Mboya Ogollah.
November 4th, 2006 at 8:52 am
Nacera Fsian says:
November, 4th, 2006 14:52 p.m.
Dear Mr Fawcett,
I am so grateful to you for your precious 10 tips, they are of great help to me to improve my writing skill. I wish you all the success in life and that all your wishes come true, God bless you. Thank you very much
My best regards.
Nacera Fsian
November 6th, 2006 at 3:54 am
Mr. Fawcett,
The information you provide is of utmost value to anyone seeking to improve
their writing skills. I am particularly appreciative of it because it has
helped me give my writing a new feel/outlook. Thanks a dime and all the best!
Kind regards,
Lina Okondo.
December 26th, 2006 at 5:49 am
hi Mr.Fawcett
i m so pleased for your tips it wil definetly help me to improve my present cv.
but if u can show me one sample then i m oblige please if you can
all the best and my regards
ruchita
January 30th, 2007 at 5:09 am
Dear Sir,
I was really excited to find your site. It is wonderfull and assist me to improve business writing. Thanks and regards.