How to prepare a résumé that promotes you to best advantage
A résumé is a vital first step in achieving your next promotion. It is, in essence, your personal advertisement, a short document encapsulating your qualifications and experience, a door-opener to that all-important next step, the job interview. The following check list is designed to help you to prepare and present a winning résumé...
1. Format
Résumés can be prepared in various formats, the most common being:
- Chronological: your experience and information are listed in reverse chronological order, present job being cited first. This format clearly shows your growth and development.
- Functional: your work experience is arranged in categories such as project management, leadership, personnel administration, stock control, community relations, and finance.
Burdette Bostwick (Résumé Writing, John Wiley, NY, 1990) details ten varieties of formats; Richard Beatty (The Résumé Kit, John Wiley, NY, 1991) focuses on three. Serious résumé writers should consult such books, which are rich in sample résumés and covering letters.
2. Process
The résumé writing process involves the following steps:
- 1. Assemble the information on yourself.
- 2. Select information relevant to the position advertised.
- 3. Decide on résumé section headings.
- 4. Prepare a first draft.
- 5. Allow an 'incubation' period.
- 6. Revise your draft.
- 7. Review it with others - then rework it.
- 8. Use a high-quality secretarial service.
3. Content
Remember that résumé comes from the French word meaning summary - so your text and headings must be concise, to the point. The document must convey your potential by telling briefly what you have already accomplished…
- Reveal your abilities, your potential, and what you can offer the employer by citing past experience as proof.
- Link your experience and skills to the relevant job objectives.
- Emphasise your achievements rather than simply describe your responsibilities. They are not the same.
- Use section headings, such as Personal Directory (name, address, contact), Qualifications, Work History, Achievements, Honours, Professional Affiliations, and References.
- Avoid gaps in employment in your Work History section. A gap in work history is a red rag to employers, and could get your résumé discarded.
- Don’t make the employer read the entire résumé to realise that you’re the perfect candidate. Hit a home run with strong statements up-front under ‘Summary of Qualifications’.
- Your résumé should clearly indicate how capable you are of performing rather than leave this important information to conjecture.
