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!!How-To Overview
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Even if you're happy with your job, it never hurts to have an updated
resume on hand. You simply never know when a career opportunity will
present itself. Not taking advantage of a chance to show a potential
employer what you can offer will leave you, at best, wondering what
could have been; at worst, you've missed recognizing a step along
your career path. [How to interview | How To Interview For A Job] and
[how to negotiate salary and benefits]   are other sciences all thier
own, but you're not even going to get the chance to consider them if
don't have a great resume on hand.

Keep the following tips in mind when preparing a resume, update it
whenever possible, and keep a copy on your work PC, PDA, or flash
drive.

!!Presentation

Before any of the content of a resume gets read, you're going to make
a first impression with the presentation of the document. Consider
also that, as it's being read, your potential employer may also be on
the phone or thinking about the 50 other resumes being reviewed
alongside yours. The following points will help keep your resume
within proximity to the top of the pile.

*If you've dropped off or mailed the resume, use quality paper that
is light in color, giving off a professional tone.

*Make your contact information clear and visible, so the employer
knows how to get in touch with you. (Most people prefer this info
right at the top.)

*Put your strong points at the top of the resume. If your current or
last job is the best thing you have to offer, make it the first thing
seen on your resume; if you just got out of school, or if you have a
higher degree that is particularly relevant to the job you're
applying for, put that first.

*Be consistent with everything. If you want to use bullet points when
listing your duties and achievements in a position, use them under
every position; if you are going to put periods at the ends of those
listings, do it for all of them. Also keep your verb tenses the same
throughout.

*If at all possible, contain the information on your resume to one
page. If you had to read 50 resumes, would you bother looking at the
second page after a while?


!!Language

Presenting yourself clearly and intelligently is the next step to a
winning resume. Superficial presentation can give a great first
impression, but when someone actually reads the resume, the language
you choose can either kill your chances or get you into the next
round of consideration. Check your wording against the following set
of guidelines.

*If you use an objective, create a strong, clear objective that is
specific for the job. Avoid generalized objectives.

*Be snappy with your language. Prepare the resume with descriptive
language that pops off the page while still keeping accuracy in
mind.

*Don't be verbose; go for clarity and simplicity, explaining what you
need to say about yourself as briefly as possible.

*Make your language and skill set relatable to anyone in the
industry. Don't use language specific to an office or to your
position. You don't want to mention anything that a potential
supervisor will not recognize or understand.

*Use action words, and describe how you actively made positive change
and created results. Quantify your achievements whenever possible, and
use numbers, which people tend to be drawn to when scanning a page.


!!Audience

The final step in creating a winning resume is to consider who will
be reading it. If at all possible, tailor your resume to the specific
job for which you are applying. This isn't always possible, especially
if you are firing off your resume via email at a moment's notice. But
aiming the resume at a specific job is all about the details, and
angling as many details as possible toward the job for which you are
applying can make a big difference.

*Prepare your resume for two types of people who might read it: 1)
The person who looks over every word, and 2) the person who merely
scans the resume. Integrate points (and numbers) that pop off the
page, but back them up with clear and precise information.

*If you are applying for a generic position for a big company, and
you have to submit your resume in electronic form, think about how
which word should appear for a search engine. (The same advice is
true if your a posting on a job board.)

*Another advice for sending a resume in electronic format: use a file
name that is easy for the poor guy in HR, include your name, the type
of document, the job title ...

*If you put in a "Personal Interests" section, don't pass up the
opportunity to make yourself sound interesting. Offer some
information that an interviewer is going to want to ask you about,
and then be prepared to capitalize on the chance to start some
rapport.

!!Category
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CategoryArticle