How to create an outstanding resume that gets results

Your first impression on a potential employer is often made through a resume. This important document should be informative, effective and geared specifically toward getting you the job you want. Creating an outstanding resume depends on presenting key intelligence on why you are the person who should be hired for a position. It must be written concisely with active language. The appearance of the document is important as well, so you should take care regarding the grade of paper used and the formatting. Put together a professional, convincing resume, and you will be a step ahead in the application process.

Instructions

1. • 1
     Choose white or cream-colored, high-grade stationery to display your resume. Use a 10 to 12 point size and a New Times Roman font in a Microsoft Word document. You might need to send the resume as an attachment and most companies will be able to open a Word file.
   • 2
     Be concise so that you don't bore the reader. Eliminate "fluff" words and phrases such as "seems to be" and "rather." Use active voice rather than passive, such as "I did the mailing for my previous company" rather than "The mailing was done by me." Aim for one page and never go past two.
   • 3
     Avoid overused statements and descriptions such as "team player," "visionary" and "motivated." Concentrate instead on describing instances in which you excelled at your current or former employment. Don't label yourself; allow your experiences and actions to show what type of worker you are.
   • 4
     Use concrete examples that show your ability instead of listing responsibilities. For instance, rather than simply writing that you handled employee relations, recount an instance in which you used conflict resolution skills to solve a serious issue between co-workers.
   • 5
     List your previous employers in reverse order. Career management company Rock Port Institute recommends that you concentrate on the most recent and relevant positions instead of jobs you held early in your career. Follow the same advice with information regarding your education. Also list skills you have mastered that would pertain to your new work endeavors, such as proficiency in spreadsheet creation, blueprint reading, machine repair, forklift driving and other key abilities.
   • 6
     Include information regarding your community activities, such as community service work and positions on nonprofit boards. Do not, however, list your personal interests; these most likely are irrelevant to your work aspirations.

   • Tips & Warnings

     • Keep your resume direct and to the point. Forbes reports that most resumes are given only a 10-second appraisal so they must have an immediate, outstanding impact.
     
     Source: eHow