Career Management Alliance Blog

Wow, the year is winding down fast, it’s almost October! If you are a job seeker, you need to crank it up a notch and get your resume out there before the holiday lull. Even if you are not in the job market and think your job is secure, you should always have your resume updated should an opportunity present itself. Companies lay off more employees during the last quarter of the year than any other time as they review their budgets. They are also in the process of creating new positions for the following year, so the savvy job seeker will not want to ignore this opportune time to get their resume out there.

If you are taking on the task of trying to write your own resume, here are some guidelines from a professional resume writer:

• Does the resume have a clear theme - a profile at the top with
  a header reflecting your intended job focus and unique brand so as to position you for
  the type of job you are looking for?

• Does it contain key words that match the types of positions you are applying to online?
• Is it easy to read - font at least 10 pt. Arial with sections that break up text into paragraphs of no more than 3-4 lines?
• Do you include position descriptions that reflect the SCOPE of your
  responsibility, i.e. revenue accountability, number of people
  supervised, size of the company, etc.?
• Do you include accomplishments that are specific and measurable with quantitative or qualitative data?
• Are your special skills highlighted, computer or technology skills, certifications, special projects?
• Does the resume show your history, i.e. why you moved from one
  company to another or to various positions within the company? For
  example you should mention that you were “recruited based on industry
  reputation” or “promoted based on demonstrated leadership to launch a new
  product or division.”

These tips reflect the basics that make up a good resume. So take the time to do it right. It’s like insurance, you shouldn’t be without
it in our volatile world. And if you are struggling or don’t believe you’ve done an adequate job, hire someone to write it for you. It’s well worth the investment.

Posted by Julianne Franke