So right now you should have a list of things you're going to put on your resume. Let's do something with that list! This is the fun part, but it can also be tedious. So be ready.
What we're going to do is take that list of things you wrote down, and make them resume-ready. There are a lot of things to consider, and most of them have to do with how you present the "thing". Let's get it started!
We'll focus on the experience stuff first. Look at what it is you've listed, then think about how it benefited whoever you were working for/with. Instead of just listing the experience, write down in what way you benefited the company or group in order to obtain the experience. And don't be soft with it. Make sure whoever is reading your resume really feels that your experience benefited the company. The way to do that is to word the description strongly. Instead of "led a team of programmers and designers to project completion," you "managed a development team that consistently completed projects on time". Make sure there's no doubt about how you accomplished something when gaining your experience. Numbers are also always a great thing to include.
Here's an example of how I'd revamp an experience blurb:
Before: "Rebuilt a website with a gallery, forums, and marketplace for Loafersoft Solutions"
After: "Developed a portal to facilitate stronger visual representation, community development, and e-commerce for Loafersoft Solutions"
The more creative you can get, the better and stronger your blurb will sound, and the more impressive it will be to the reader. Just make sure if you gave your resume to your grandmother, she'd understand it.
Along with your experience blurb, elaborate on any accomplishments your achieved along the way. If you sold a record amount of t-shirts, or even if your new marketplace for Loafersoft helped them sell a record amount of t-shirts, put it down! And don't forget the dates!
So now that you've got your experience list with blurbs and accomplishments and dates, take a look for holes. If there was a period of time where you weren't working, think of something that filled it. Really think about possibilities like volunteering, continued education, etc. Then accompany those things with a little bit about why there was no prominent work experience, but stay away from sounding like you're apologizing.
Let's get to those skills. First, look through those skills and think of a time where you may have been able to apply it to the experience you've already listed. Go ahead and add it to that experience portion as a relevant skill. Next, try to drop the remaining skills into categories that would be relevant to whatever type of job you'd be using your resume for.
That's all for today. Check back on Friday for the wrap-up!
No comments:
Post a Comment