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Monday, February 11, 2008

5 Steps to Resume Success.

1. Targeting
2. Sequencing
3. Accomplishments
4. Resume Strategy
5. Resume Production

Targeting
One of the easiest ways to improve your resume is to summarize your qualifications at the top of the page This keyword-based profile should position you for your desired job and focus on your job target's "core competencies" and critical keywords.

Sequencing
Since you only have a few moments to get potential employers' attention, the sequence of your
information is critical. For example, if you have recently earned a college degree, your "Education" section should be placed near the top of the page. If your education is less impressive than your experience, place it at the bottom.


Accomplishments

Your resume should prominently highlight achievements and awards related to your career or recent academic performance. Employers are naturally attracted to high achievers, so don't hesitate to describe your accomplishments.


Resume Strategy

The CHRONOLOGICAL RESUME is the standard, traditional format. It focuses primarily on employment history and presents your work experience in reverse chronological order. This type of resume is ideal if your
job listings are impressive, your employment history is linear, and your current position is directly related to your career path.

FUNCTIONAL RESUMES focus on transferable skills and de-emphasize individual positions, job duties and employment dates. Functional styles are frequently used by job seekers who have "holes" in their work history or want to make a career change. Their use should be carefully weighed, though, as some employers consider them "less credible" than traditional resumes with a blow-by-blow employment history.
For many, the best approach is a COMBINATION RESUME with a functional summary and a chronological work history. This strategy is advantageous for most job seekers – and if done properly, allows employers to quickly see how your background qualifies you for the position.

Resume Production

Resume writing is similar to other forms of writing: it requires proper planning, editing, rewriting, proofreading and more editing. Unfortunately, there are no shortcuts! After you've completed the writing and editing, double-check all data, run it through a spelling checker and make sure the format is consistent. The next step is design and layout – and whether you like it or not, appearance does count! To ensure optimum readability, the resume should be expertly typeset in a professional, distinctive format.

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