Managing Your Job Search Project!

 Constructing Your Resume 

Your resume is often the first impression a future employer has of you. As one of your key sales tools, it presents an overview of what you have done in the past and implies what you can do for a potential employer in the future.

The Purposes Of A Resume 

A sales brochure 

You are the product your resume is selling. The primary purpose of a resume is to sell you to your target market. Keep your target market in mind when writing it. Highlight the end results of your activities: what you accomplished. 

A calling card 

Your resume is an overview. It cannot and should not tell everything about you. Rather it is a brief summary of what you have done in the past and implies what you can do in the future. It should be short (no more than two pages) and easy to read. Make this first impression a true representation of you: direct, effective and professional. 

A reminder 

After an interview an impression of you remains. The resume supports that personal impression and helps the interviewer remember you. Therefore, it should present a clear picture of you, the job candidate. Be sure it is neat, well laid out, consistent and stresses what you have accomplished, as well as your areas of expertise. 

A way to direct the interview 

The way you structure your resume can help direct the interviewer’s attention to specific accomplishments and relevant experiences. Review your resume to be sure they are easily visible.

 

Ten Parts of a Resume

All resumes should contain certain vital information, including: 

1. Heading 

List your name, address, telephone number(s) and e-mail address. If you use an answering machine or a service, be sure the message is professional and check your messages regularly. 

2. Professional Objective (optional) 

Having a professional objective - a concise statement of what you want to do - helps you keep your resume consistent and focused. It is your option as to whether or not you include an objective on your resume. If you do, it can serve as an advertising headline, telling what services you have to offer. If it is not included, most readers will assume that you are seeking work similar to your most recent position. 

3. Summary Statement 

Write a concise statement summarizing experience, areas of expertise, technical or professional skills, traits and any distinctions. The summary emphasizes key information detailed in the body of the resume. Since it includes the strongest arguments for hiring you, use keywords that match what your target market desires. 

4. Employment History 

Company names, years employed and job titles should be included. 

5. Responsibilities Statements 

Summarize information selected from your job description, special assignments and general duties that a potential employer might find of interest. One paragraph for each recent job listed and one sentence for earlier jobs is adequate. 

6. Accomplishment Statements 

These statements should show your achievements and contributions to an organization - three to six for your most recent job, one to three for prior jobs. Think about different performance measurements important to your profession. Omit them for very old jobs. 

7. Education 

Summarize your educational background in reverse chronological order, including your highest degree and university. You may include the date and more details if you have graduated with the past five years. Omit if your education is not one of your assets.

8. Professional Development and Training 

List additional training or courses that support and are relevant to your job objective. This section can be separate or included as part of education with heading: Education/Training and Development. 

9. Memberships 

Include  memberships and offices held in professional associations, boards and community activities that support your objective. 

10. Other Categories 

If relevant to your objective, list languages, licences, certifications, military experience, technical skills and the titles of publications you have written.

Writing Cover Letters 

Unless you personally hand a resume to a prospective employer, a cover letter usually accompanies it. Every cover letter follows the general formula that can be adapted to the specific need. Remember: always thank the employer for time and consideration. Here’s the format: 

Date 

Address 

Salutation

Paragraph one: Explain why you are writing in a way that arouses interest. Display your knowledge of the reader’s company or group. 

In response to your advertisement in the Wall Street Journal for a Vice President of Field Sales, I am enclosing my resume. I have been watching the growth of Superior with great interest over the past year, particularly the creation of high-powered sales teams as a way of increasing your sales volume and profitability.

Paragraph two: Briefly describe your qualifications and accomplishments and identify the relevant job title. 

Most recently, as Vice President, Field Sales, for Namebrand Pharmaceuticals, I managed $160 million in annual sales with nearly 100 direct sales people and 16 brokers across two-thirds of the United States. I worked for Namebrand for seven years in a number of capacities under five separate corporate umbrellas. 

Paragraph three: Answer the question: Why should I hire you? Relate yourself to the company or group. (This paragraph may be omitted if you prefer a shorter letter.) 

Namebrand and Superior have built their reputations as hard-driving, profit oriented organizations. Having proven myself in one of the most tough-minded companies by taking an entrepreneurial approach to account, personnel and sales management, I would like to bring my talents to your company, a company that rewards creative drive, solid execution and hard work. 

Paragraph four: Take the initiative, request action, ask for an interview, suggest a time to meet and tell the employer when you will call. 

I look forward to meeting with you to discuss in more detail how my background and qualifications can work for you. I appreciate your consideration and will call you next week to see when we might meet. 

Sincerely, 

Name 

Encl: resume