writing a winning resume

writing a winning CV is not as difficult as you might think. However, I have observed with
deep regret, several applicants submit
resume(s) that only qualify to be
thrown into the thrash without given
any further consideration. Resume- writing is a skill you fine-tune as you
practice more often. You must know
how to self-criticize, self-appraise and
edit correctly. There are so many
features to assist you along the way
both on the internet or even the most basic form of edit on Microsoft Word
(such as the review functions of spell-
check, thesaurus and comparison) Getting the perfect job is no small feat
and your resume is your first
opportunity to make a outstanding
impression on the recruiter. It is a big
deal - never trivialize its efficacy.
Here are some points to bear in mind as to prepare your resume: 1. Where the advertisement requires
specific education or industry
experience, do not apply if you do not
qualify in any respect. However, if you
qualify at least 85%, please by all
means do apply. 2. Typos and spelling errors are very
annoying to recruiters.
3. Keep it brief and simple.
4. The Career Statement or Profile
Statement is to sell your individuality.
Never blow your trumpet higher than your experience or educational
qualifications, most recruiters can see
through the charade.
5. Career Statements and Profile
Statements are required to be job-
specific. For example: Do not say you “close deals easily” unless you are
applying for a marketing job, do not
say you have impeccable
communication skills and make
grammatical errors in your resume
(talk about irony) 6. Follow specific instructions given by
the recruiter. For example: If you are
required to use the Job title as the
subject of the email, do not play funny
by adding your name to it.
7. Display your skills by employing specific description of your work
experience. (If you are seeking a
position that requires experience, This
is your strongest selling point)
8. Do not sound desperate in your cover
letter or resume and most importantly your email. You are a unique individual,
there are several recruiters looking out
for someone with your unique
personality, never sell yourself short.
(Never title your letter “Application for
any position available”) 9. When asked to send your resume by
email, send your resume as an
attachment. Do not just copy and paste
as an email (for God’s sake, it always
disjointed!) or send it as a scanned
document (haba! an electronic copy is as original as the hardcopy). This shows
you are not as computer literate as you
want recruiters to believe. (The
generally acceptable formats are pdf,
word or excel)
10. Open up an email address that sounds and looks professional not
“talktosexybaby@yahoo.com”.
(Hilarious!!) You can always use the
different variations of your name for
example omayeli.richards@yahoo.com
or Orichards@yahoo.com. 11. Never use vague career objectives
for example “To improve the efficiency
and productivity of ANY organization
that can afford me the opportunity”
Remember what we discussed about
being job-specific. 12. Don’t break your activity chain. If
you are yet to obtain admission to
school or find work, join an activity
group, work pro-bono in a charitable
organization, take a course, start a
small business and by all means get busy. Recruiters look out for innovative
personnel, not lay-abouts.
13. It is better not to have references
in your resume than to have references
that either do not know you in person
(and so cannot have any handy comment when called)or use a family
member as referee (even with a
different surname, when called
impromptu, they readily give you away)
14. Always keep track of your
applications and have a list of the position and the company you applied
to. Never call to ask which position you
applied for, it just shows you really do
not have a specific professional area of
interest.
15. A good resume must highlight your educational qualifications and details
of your work experience.
Should you require any help feel free to contact me