With such an overload of information everywhere you look, it can be confusing and overwhelming when creating a resume! After all, it's not exactly a fun chore for most of us to do.
However, it doesn't have to be the drudgery you might feel it is.
First, let's define what a resume actually is: In reality, your resume is a glorified sales pitch.
Ultimately, it is a calling card or request to get an interview.
Nothing more, nothing less.
A resume is NOT "the job-getter.
" It IS "the interview-getter.
" A resume is your audition piece.
It is your personal advertisement, which you send out, in hopes of getting money from a person or company.
Whether you are a doctor, scientist, a customer service representative, a librarian, a graphic artist, or a food server, the end result is the same.
Regardless of what we do for a living, we are all in the sales business, whether we like it or not.
So, again:

• A resume is what makes the phone ring...
  or not ring...
  depending on what you submit to prospective employers.
  
• A resume is the deciding factor as to whether you will be invited to the big party, or thrown under a bus.
  It's harsh, it's challenging, but it is not impossible to get "this piece of paper" to make the phone ring.
  It truly is all about sales and perception - how the HR person or employer views your resume.
  

1.
Defining Your Resume's Purpose: In order to get that interview call you're hoping for, you must define the purpose of the resume, and it must make sense to the reader.
I always preach simplicity because simplicity is the easiest for the reader to digest.
Make it too complicated and you turn the reader off.
Simple purpose(s) and simple definitions clearly stated will make the phone ring.
2.
Your Resume Must Have Clear Focus: You want to ensure that everything listed on your resume conveys a clean, unified, buttoned-up image.
It can be creative if applicable to your career, but it must make sense to the reader.
Employers like decisive, confident people who know what they want and know how to communicate.
For example, if you're seeking a job as a nurse, no one really cares that you worked at McDonalds when you were a teenager! You can list the job experience if you really feel strongly about it, but don't waste too much time and page space on details that do not support the job or career you are seeking.
3.
Review Resume Samples & Templates for Ideas: While I am not necessarily a huge fan of using resume templates or samples, these things do come in handy, especially if you are suffering from writer's block! Before you start working on your resume, try reviewing the various samples and templates that exist online and in books.
This will help you get the creative juices flowing.
This doesn't mean you should copy or mimic everything you see.
But, it it is a good way to see what others are doing.
Make sure to check a wide range of ideas covering all sorts of careers.
Don't pigeonhole yourself to one way of doing things because a book tells you to.
Open your mind and be creative! Once you find something you like, go for it! It will be much easier to start the process.
4.
State Goals & Objectives Clearly & Specifically: While it's not mandatory to do this, some people feel it is important to list goals and objectives.
Depending on the nature of your career or job you are seeking, it is entirely up to you to add this information or not.
If you decide to do this, make sure to state all goals and objectives simply and clearly, and also ensure they actually mean something to the prospective employer.
Keep your points short and sweet, and don't try to impress with tongue-twisting sentences.
These mistakes will immediately turn off the reader, who is usually very busy or overworked, as it is.
You really only have about 5-10 seconds to make a good first impression on your reader.
That's it! So make it count with an easy-to-read resume! 5.
State Job Specifics Clearly: Try to avoid vague ambiguities like, "contributed to project design.
" This tells the employer absolutely nothing about your experience or contribution, and can serve to annoy the person reading your resume.
You don't want your resume to wind up in the "Deleted or Trash" file, so try to focus on more specific descriptions like: "Conducted market analysis for XYZ Project to determine design and mechanics.
" You could also indicate something like this: "Led and supervised 5-person design team to successful project completion.
" If you helped bring in company dollars, you could say something like: "Received critical acclaim for work performed.
Project created $7.
5 million in annual revenue.
" Be brief but specific.
The keywords you use can be the difference between a call back or being dumped in the "round file" meaning the trash! I hope you have found this information helpful.
Watch for future articles coming soon.
Good luck!