Writing a Killer Resume

http://www.jobstreet.com.my/career-resources/writing-a-killer-resume/#.Ut3hyxCwrcu
From JOBSTREET.COM
Posted on Aug 16, 2013 

Writing and developing a killer resume is your ticket to finding a brand new job. Not only can your resume help you get the job, but it can also play a major role in assisting you with receiving a higher salary or a managerial position. Your resume is a marketing document, however there is a fine line between promoting yourself effectively and sounding arrogant. In order to stand out from your competition, your resume needs to be written, presented and formatted in the correct way. Don't forget that for every job position you are most likely competing against other job seekers just like yourself who share similar skills and experiences.

So how do you ensure that your professional resume get noticed? What do you need to do to give yourself the greatest opportunity of landing a job interview? The answer is simple: the key to resume writing is to promote your significant skills, experience and past achievements so that the reader (hiring manager) can understand the value you can bring to their organization.

Here are 5 things you can do to write a killer resume:

1. Focus on achievements - not duties and responsibilities 
A hiring manager is less concerned about your daily duties and more interested in your achievements and past successes. If your resume sounds like a long list of day to day responsibilities, then it's time to turn your resume into an achievement based resume that focuses on communicating the value you have bought to your current and past employers. Achievement statements can be highly effective in attracting the reader's attention and distinguishing your resume above your competitors.

2. Examples of achievements you can focus on include:

• Ways you increased bottom line revenue
• How you reduced costs or maximized business efficiency 
• New ideas, innovations or changes you implemented that resulted in positive outcomes 
• Special awards, honors or accolades (extra-curricular training or certifications) 
• Training or mentoring staff 

3. Use Quantitative Examples:

As important as it is to focus on your achievements, the best way to highlight your success is through examples. Use numbers, figures and statistics to back up your statements. For example, instead of stating your "increased sales, leading to greater revenue", include exact numbers to present a complete picture to the hiring manager: "increased sales by 25% over a 6 month period".

4.Include strategic keywords:

Using strategic keywords throughout your resume works not only to catch the reader's attention, but it also ensures your professional resume won't be deleted by employers using resume software programs as a way to assist in job candidate selections:

Develop a qualifications profile or executive summary:

A killer resume will attract the reader's attention within the first 10 seconds of opening your resume. The very best resumes will create a great first impression that will keep the person reading your resume for longer. Creating a qualifications profile or an executive summary at the very beginning of your resume is a fantastic way to introduce yourself to the reader and immediately portray your skills and qualifications directly to the reader. 

5. Remove unnecessary information:

Only include information within your resume that adds value to your job application. Irrelevant information will only take up space on your resume and give the reader a reason to delete your resume. Ensure you target your resume towards the job description. For example, if you are applying for a job as a project manager, ensure that your resume highlights your project management skills. Remember that your resume is a marketing documents, so ensure that your document is marketed correctly.

Writing a killer resume will help open doors and new opportunities that will ultimately lead to an increased number of job interviews. Focus your resume on promoting all of your great skills that would make you a fantastic person to hire. Once you can get a foot in the door you can begin to focus on nailing the job interview!