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Creating a professional resume is essential to a successful job search, whether you are new to the job market or a seasoned professional. Your resume is what prospective employers will use to create a first impression of you. It is an absolute MUST that you have an attractive resume that highlights your strengths, key accomplishments, work history and related educational accomplishments.
There are different ways to make a professional resume. One way is that you may want to write your own resume yourself. If you must write it yourself make sure to have at least three other people proof read it for you and you should read every word forwards and backwards (from the end of the document to the front) to check for typos and/or misspelled words. At the bottom of the page you can find some very good books on resume writing.
I actually have a funny story about writing my own resume: When I was fresh out of college I wrote myself a fantastic resume full of honors and internships, I proof read it numerous times, I had three people proof read it too, and then I sent it out like crazy. For six months I could not get a job or an interview for some reason? I finally confided in a friend and asked him to help me. He took one look at my resume and started to laugh. I was so horrified and humiliated about what I had done. I had listed as a skill on my resume that I was "good at paying attention to detail" and on the line just above that I had misspelled the word "filing" and had instead the word "filling." I missed the typo, three other people missed the typo, but I'm sure the people I sent it to had a really good laugh.
Since, then I have come to the conclusion that everyone looking to get a serious job should at least once hire a professional resume writer to start you off on the right track. Professional resume writers typically start upwards of $300 but again this is a very important investment in yourself and your future. So save up the money, bring your old resume with you and let the professional steer you in the right direction. Don't cut corners here, use a certified resume professional. Search the internet or you may also want to check with your friends and family for word-of-mouth referrals. So, ask the people you know. One bonus of seeing a professional resume writer/career coach is that they often provide much more value than simply a professional resume. You may get more out of it than just a resume some of your job searching questions may get answered too. Do not forget about your references: Don't even think about conducting a successful job search without first identifying your professional references. They are absolutely key in making or breaking your job offers. I myself have an aversion to asking people to provide me with a reference. I don't know why this is so hard for me but it could have to do with the fact that I do not like asking others for help. I like to figure things out on my own. So, identify your limitations as I have and be honest with yourself. Ask a friend or family member or hire someone to help you when you get stuck on something. It is a good idea to ask an employer when you are leaving a job (on good terms) if they would provide you with a good reference when you do look for your next job? It is essential that you know what your references are going to say about your candidacy for a job. These are people you need to stay connected with throughout your job search. So make sure you keep up with these people and call them and let them know if you have used them as a reference for a job recently. In college one of my business professors made a statement that has stuck with me ever since. He said "don't just take the first job that comes along because you will be spending on average more time at this place of business working with these employees for more waking hours than you will actually spend with your spouse." Think about all the factors and decision making you go through before you pick a spouse and then think about how little time you spend on picking your job. Are you one of those people that pick something that is right for now but know that this job will not help you with your long-term goals or future plans? In review, be honest with yourself, identify your limitations, hire help when appropriate, always keep an updated professional resume on hand, keep your references up-to date, and do not just take the first job you are offered. Remember when you go into an interview you are also interviewing them about the job they are offering. You should always interview a prospective employer so that you can match yourself to the best job out there. Below are some resume books you may want to look at. There are lots of resume books on the market but these come highly recommended. Resume Books: Resume Magic: Trade Secrets of a Professional Resume Writer (Resume Magic Trade Secrets of a Professional Resume Writer) Best Resumes For $100,000+ Jobs, Second Edition (Paperback) Get the Interview Every Time: Fortune 500 Hiring Professionals' Tips for Writing Winning Resumes and Cover Letters (Get the Interview Every Time: Fortune 500 Hiring Professionals') (Paperback) Expert Resumes for Managers And Executives (Expert Resumes) (Paperback) Best Keywords for Resumes, Cover Letters, and Interviews: Powerful Communications Tools for Success (Paperback) Expert Resumes For Teachers And Educators (Expert Resumes) (Paperback) Gwynne Yadley, M.A. Owner, Pasadena Social Services Pasadena Social Services |
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