November 28, 2013
How to Write a Resume the Employer Wants to Read
By Jessica Holbrook Hernandez, Expert Resume Writer
Over the past few weeks I’ve reviewed hundreds of resume—and to my dismay, they’ve all looked and sounded the same. I’m not sure who thought it was a good idea to give job seekers the advice that replicating an unoriginal career summary or objective statement on their resume was a sound job searching practice. But whoever did that should be blacklisted from providing career advice to job seekers.
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I really wish I could help job seekers see the value in positioning themselves effectively—the value in exploring and then promoting their individuality and uniqueness on their resumes. Creating a resume that an employer will actually want to read is the backbone of a successful job search. So here’s hoping that you’re open to some advice on how to write a resume that employers will want to read. If I’ve convinced you that your old resume is busted and needs some serious help, here are five tips to help you communicate your individuality and personal brand on your resume:
1. Make the Connection
I’m not sure there is a better way to communicate your fit for the position than to address how your career experience and expertise meet the needs of the organization. Think about what their needs might be, and then make the connection between your experience and how you can meet their needs. This will build confidence with the employer that you’re a great candidate.
2. Relevance and Prominence
It’s important to be purposeful and strategic in how you write—and structure—your resume. Resume writers don’t just throw words onto a piece of paper in any random order and then just hope something sticks. No, there’s a reason why they place certain information on your resume—and maybe even more importantly is WHERE they place that information. The most relevant information should come first. It should be at the top of your resume, and should be the first bullet point under each section.
3. Save Time
Save the recruiter or hiring manager time by not making them go searching for what they need. They’ll be looking for job titles, dates of employment, and major accomplishments. They’ll also be looking for important keywords to ensure you have the required skills for the position. Put this information at the top of the resume, and make job titles and employment dates easy to find. This helps them to more quickly and easily go through their mental checklist during that initial six-second resume scan so they can then decide to read your resume further.
4. Expound on the Details
Once you’ve passed the initial six-second scan, the hiring manager will want to go back and give your resume a more thorough reading to ensure you have the necessary skills and experience for the position. This is where details are critical. Expound further on your experience, contributions, and accomplishments. Use facts and figures to sell the value you can offer the employer and to get their attention.
5. AVOID THE FAMILIAR
Avoid the familiar at all costs. If you’ve seen it on a resume sample site, so have thousands of other people. Don’t copy it and include it on your resume. Sure, you can use it as inspiration to write something unique pertaining to yourself, but a word-for-word reproduction of what you’ve seen on someone else’s resume is a poor advertisement of your unique talents and capabilities. Be true to who you are and what you bring to the table.
If inspiration is lacking and you’re not sure how to frame up your experience in a brand-driven and compelling way, that’s where we come in. It’s not always easy to write about yourself, but a third party’s perspective can be incredibly effective and stress relieving. Read more about our resume writing services and our 99.996% interview-winning success rate here.
About the Author
Jessica Hernandez, is a resume authority for the Job Talk America radio program and multi-published expert author for resume, career, and job search publications. She boasts more than ten years in human resources management and hiring for Fortune 500 companies and utilizes her extensive experience to support job seekers in their quest to move onward and upward in their careers. Find out more at Great Resumes Fast.
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