Chesapeake Résumé Writing Service: Helping people chart a new course to success
 

Job search is a full-time 40 hour per week job without benefits  no fun. However, a well-written résumé chock full of accomplishments and an appealing format can help you land more interviews faster.  Here are a few tips toward creating a stronger résumé.

1.      Choose the correct type of résumé:  There are essentially three kinds of résumés, chronological, combined, and functional.  While a chronological résumé adequately serves most people’s needs, there are times when this format (listing jobs from most recent to least recent) may not be appropriate.  When changing careers, returning to the workforce after an extensive absence, or entering the workforce for the first time, a résumé which highlights skills (combined style or functional style) over chronological experience may serve you better. 

2.      Use a Career Summary instead of an objective: Job objectives listing a desired position add no value to the résumé. Instead create a career-specific job summary which includes number of years of experience in your field, key strengths and skills, and any awards that will make you stand out.

3.      Include accomplishments: Accomplishments set you apart from the competition. Include specific information such as what kinds of steps you took to resolve problems, increase company revenue, streamline operations, turn around an underperforming department, awards earned, etc.  Use numbers or percentages where appropriate.

4.      Be careful in your use of dates: Don’t show your age, especially if you’re over 45.  Don’t include work history beyond 20 years. Don’t include college graduation dates unless it’s been within the past five years.

5.      Minimize or exclude personal information: Personal information such as hobbies, family accomplishments, and religious or political affiliations, in general, should be left out. This kind of information can actually inadvertently reveal information about you that could prove discriminatory.

Have fun with the résumé and approach it from a creative perspective rather than a task. This is an opportunity for you to tell the world about your greatest achievements.  Allow the résumé to be as long or as short as necessary.  There is no rule as to the length of a résumé, however, typically 1-2 pages is preferred.

 Beth Colley is a Certified Professional Résumé Writer and is the founder of Chesapeake Résumé Writing Service.  Her services include résumé writing, professional biographies, individual résumé coaching, and federal job search coaching.  She can be contacted by email at resume@chesres.com, or by calling 410-533-2457.  Her web site is www.chesres.com