Writing A Winning Resume

THE PURPOSE OF A RESUMÉ

  • Market yourself in a positive manner
  • Gain the reader’s attention
  • Impart sufficient information on your experience/capabilities
  • Show you are qualified and able to do the job (Matches your skills, experience and achievements with the description in the advertisement)
  • Provide sufficient information to “whet the appetite”
  • Get you an Interview
  • Framework for discussion
  • Permanent post interview reminder

FEATURES OF A SUCCESSFUL RESUMÉ

  • No standard style/format
  • Layout – legible, consistent and “reader friendly” (“More white than black”)
  • No typographical or grammatical errors
  • Keep it honest – don’t exaggerate your experience
  • Avoid initials and jargon
  • Use concise and clear terms (3-5 pages in length)
  • Use dot points – no long narratives

RESUMÉ STRUCTURE

Summary Profile

  • Name and Contact Details
  • Career Summary – Career Objective
  • Qualifications
  • Key Achievements
  • Key Competencies

Employment/Career History

  • Company Details
    • Dates (including months)
    • Company Name/Division (description if required)
    • Approximate turnover in dollars } Not essential
    • Number of employees } and may be
    • Who are its customers – the trade? } omitted if space/
    • Structure } length is an issue
    • Position Title – put your job in context
    • Who you reported to
  • Scope of Responsibilities
  • The purpose of your job – where did it fit into the organisation?
  • The dimensions of your position – province-wide/national?
  • How much accountability and/or responsibility you had for budgets?
  • Who reported to you?
  • Achievements/Major Accomplishments
    • How well you performed in the job, how you “added value”?
    • Did you effect any special achievements?
    • Quantify where possible.
    • Successful projects.
    • Any initiatives you developed and implemented.
    • Be specific – use numbers or percentages to illustrate your successes.
    • Use positive, active words.

Personal Details

  • Education
  • Training Courses
  • Professional Associations/Memberships
  • Language Details
  • Hobbies/Interests
  • Refer to Referees
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