HOW DOES YOUR RESUME STACK UP?

PART ONE: The Questions Your Resume Must Answer

Long gone are the days when simply writing job descriptions was enough to get you in the door. Today's resume must answer the following key questions for an employer.

Resume Score Card

1.

Does this candidate have the experience, skill, and knowledge needed to perform this specific job as we've specified it with little or no training?

Yes

No

2.

Will the candidate be able to make an immediate contribution to the organization in this specific job?

Yes

No

3.

Is the candidate going to easily fit into the current organizational structure?

Yes

No

4.

Will the candidate be able to make a smooth transition into their current role?

Yes

No

If you have 3 NO answers, we can help!

PART TWO: Common Resume Mistakes

Employers use your past successes as a gauge for future success on the job. If you do not properly identify your qualifications, experiences, and talents, your resume will be generic. It will not hold the interest of an employer since it will look like everyone else's resume.

Resume Mistakes

1.

Weak Introduction or Profile
Your resume must lead with your strengths because employer will read the top summary section first and then decide whether to read further. Don't save the best for the middle of the resume. Provide a clear and concise profile (or objective) statement that entices the reader to look carefully over your qualifications.

Yes

No

2.

Lacks Punch
Providing a dull list of your work history and job responsibilities is a major mistake. The resume should be packed with statements that demonstrate both actions and results. That is what is going to make your resume stand out from the other candidates.

Two Strong Examples:

1. Delivered an increase of 37% in profit margin and landed 3 major accounts, two of which were Fortune 500 companies.

2. Transitioned 5,000+ general ledger accounts to new GL application; converted erroneous key fields in entire database, resulting in time and cost savings.

Yes

No

3.

Length: too short or too long
The length of a resume is always a controversial issue. Some people swear by a one-page resume while others like to provide their life history. The answer lies somewhere in the middle and truly depends on your situation. The resume should be as short as you can make it, and long enough to provide enough relevant information to encourage the reader to immediately call you for an interview. If this means that your resume is two or more pages that is O.K. as long as all the information on the resume is relevant to your job objective.

Yes

No

4.

Full of mistakes, typos and poor formatting
If your resume is sloppy, what does that say about the quality of your work? Relying on spell check can be a disaster: it will approve "manger" when you mean "manager." If the writing is weak and format inconsistent, jumbled or crowded, it sends a negative message about your ability to deliver top-quality work.

Yes

No

If you have 4 YES answers, we can help!

PART THREE: What most job seekers tell themselves

When resume writing, most jobseekers tell themselves and others many fallacies about resume-writing and how it will impact their job search.

Do you tell yourself the following?

1.

"The hiring manager is familiar with my job responsibilities. I don't have to spell it out for them."

It may be true that the employer knows the responsibilities of your job, but they are not aware of your specific and diverse achievements and the key attributes that separate you from every other qualified candidate applying for the job.

Yes

No

2.

"Once I get the interview, I will be able to demonstrate why I am the best candidate for the position."

One of the purposes of your resume is to win job interviews. If you fail to sell yourself before the interview, you will not get the chance for a one-on-one meeting.

Employers use your past successes as a gauge for future ones. If you do not properly identify your qualifications, experiences, and talents, your resume will be generic and will not hold the interest of an employer.

Yes

No

3.

"I can do a lot of things for this company, so I won't focus my resume on just one position since it might limit me."

An unfocused resume sends a very clear message: that the writer is unfocused about their career. It also states that you can't make a decision, and that you don't have any strong passion for your career. It definitely can't be considered a job proposal for a specific position.

Remember, your resume is competing with others who really want the specific position you are trying to get, and their resumes will prove they want it and can do it.

Yes

No

If you have 3 YES answers, we can help!

Professional Resume Services for All Trades and Disciplines

Visit our resume samples page to evaluate our work. Below is just a sample of professionals we have written resumes for.

• Administrative Assistant
• Accountants
• Accounts Receivable & Payable
• Banking Professionals
• Billing Representative
• Customer Service Professionals
• Construction Professionals
• Facilities Management
• Healthcare Professionals
• Hospitality Professionals
• Human Resources Professionals
• Human Services Professionals
• Legal Professionals
• Marketing Professionals
• Office Management
• Real Estate
• Special Events Coordinator
• Telecommunications

We write resumes for all trades and disciplines.
 

Resume Writing Niches

• Professional Resume Service
• Executive Resume Service
• Sales Resume Service
• IT Resume Service
• Teacher Resume Service

Sample Resumes by CareerStrides

For a sneak peek of our resume services, click on a resume writing sample below or go to our resume sample page for a complete listing of example resumes.
 

Administrative Support Resume Writing Sample

College Graduate Resume Writing Sample

Engineer Resume Writing Sample

Director of Operations Resume Writing Sample

Retail Manager Resume Writing Sample

Plant Manager Resume Writing Sample

Project Manager Resume Writing Sample

Sales and Marketing Resume Writing Sample

Senior Executive Resume Writing Sample

Vice President of Sales Resume Writing Sample

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