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| Sunday, 16 October 2011 00:21 | |||||
Recently, I’ve had the pleasure of reviewing over forty resumes for a management position in Alberta, only to find out that only five of the applicants actually qualified for an interview. From what I had observed, one of the most common mistakes that the applicants made was squeezing too much information in to their resumes. The truth is, because of the overwhelming volume of resumes that human resources process, it only takes them 10 seconds to glance over each resume before deciding whether or not an applicant is worth their time to interview. A carefully thought out and “uncluttered” resume is essential when responding to career opportunities. Let us review the basics: HeadingAside from your name, address and phone number, include any relevant degrees or professional designations after your name if applicable (e.g. Jane Smith, BA). If you decide to add your e-mail address as part of your contact information, be aware that you are making a commitment to check your messages regularly. Profile statementMost people refer to this section as the “Objective.” However, an objective statement could limit the range of possible employment options, because it usually describes the position a person is applying for and it could be perceived as vague or too specific. Here is a simple fill-in-the-blanks formula to help create a profile statement: A [adjective e.g. service-oriented] [title/profession e.g. medical secretary] with [total number] years experience in [type of work, e.g. front desk reception] within the [e.g. health care services] industry. Key strengths include [at least three examples: excellent customer service, perception speed and accuracy, clerical aptitude]. Committed to [comment on your interpersonal or working style, e.g. handling confidential information with mature discretion]. A Profile Statement basically gives an overview of the information contained in the resume. Since it is in essence also a summary of qualifications, it is best to write it last, but best to keep it brief and concise. Career history and accomplishmentsThis is the most important piece of a resume. The main purpose of this section is to communicate proof of an individual’s abilities and talents. The second purpose is to show their level of expertise and accomplishments. Most job seekers make a mistake of turning this section into a job description. What employers are interested in is a picture of you doing the work and showing that you are good at it. The best way to compose the body of this section is to reflect on each job experience and start listing accomplishments for each job that made your employers proud about your work. To write an accomplishment statement:
Remember to begin each accomplishment with an appropriate action verb. Try to avoid using the phrase “responsible for.” For instance, “responsible for filing” can be revised into an accomplishment statement: “Recognized the need for a new filing system by developing a simple but functional coding system, allowing users easier access to medical records.” The action verb here is “recognized”. And of course, any other relevant information can be included at the end of a resume, such as education, related training, community involvement and awards. A resume is a tool with one specific purpose – to get an interview. You are the product and your resume is the marketing tool.
Boxing was the only career where I wouldn’t have to start out at the bottom. I had a good resume. SourceMarge Watters, It’s Your Move, 2nd Edition Michele Majul-Ibarra is a Compliance Officer with Canada Post Corporation, specializing in Human Rights and Conflict Management. She graduated from the University of Manitoba with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychology and a Certificate in Human Resource Management. She also has a professional designation, C.I.M. (Certified in Management) awarded by the Canadian Institute of Management through the University of Manitoba. Find Career Connexion on Facebook. Have a comment on this article? Send us your feedback
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