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HOW TO WRITE A RESUME

Writing an effective and creative resume that gets result can be daunting task. But if a few of the simple things are taken care of, your chances of being shortlisted for the interview enhance significantly.

Here are a few tips that will be immensely beneficial for any candidate, irrespective of the industry or organisation to are applying to. These are some basic things that make a lasting impression.

•  Determine your job search objective prior to writing the resume and structure the content of your resume around that objective only. If you write your resume without having a clear objective in mind, it will come across as unfocussed to those who read it.
• You don’t need to go into detail about every accomplishment. Strive to be clear and concise. The purpose of your resume is to generate interest in you, to have an employer contact you for an interview.
• The language should be simple, the flow of language lucid and grammar absolutely correct. The format must be choosen carefully and consistency should be maintained through out. Use a font size no smaller than 10.
• To improve the presentation and comprehension, use bulleted sentences. Resumes are read quickly ( a resume gets an attention of 30 sec on an average). This bulleted sentence format makes it easier for someone to quickly scan your resume and still absorb it.
• To add life to your resume, you begin with action words like prepared, developed, monitored, presented.
• Take the time to determine which bullets most strongly support your job search objective. Put those strong points first where they are more apt to read.
• Use the keywords listed in the ad (where the vacancy is advertised) and match them with the contents in your resume, highlight your stability for the job profile.
• Use technical jargon specific to your industry. If there are terms that show your competence in a particular field, use them in your resume.
• Accent the positive and leave off negatives and irrelevant points. Lead with your strengths. Focus on the duties that support your objective.
• Rather than going into depth in one area, use your resume to highlight you breadth of knowledge.
• If you reported to someone important such as vice president or department manager, say so in your resume. Having reported to someone important causes the reader to infer that you are important.
• Limit the length of your resume to 1-2 pages. Help the reader to scan your resume efficiently and effectively.
• Since you are so close to your situation, it can be difficult for you to hit all your high points and clearly convey all your accomplishments. Have someone review your job search objective, your resume, and listings of positions that interest you.

Use your resume to obtain an interview, not a job. Most prospective employers decide whether or not they want to interview you after reading the first few lines.

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Tips For Job Seekers

INTERVIEW’s DO’s and DONT’s

People never get a second chance to make a first impression. Your success or failure in getting the job is determined within the first few minutes of the interview and so it is important for you to create a positive first impression.

Don’t expect your resume alone to win the job for you; you will need to communicate why you are the right candidate. Do proper research to know about the company and the job profile and the type of interview you will be encountering. Do proper practice for the interview, but don’t memorize your answers. For these simple tips to achieve success in this important phase of job-hunting.

Do’s

·         Research the current industrial trends, company and the job profile before your interview.

·         Arrive ten minutes early.

·         Be sure to give a handshake, smile, maintain eye contact and have positive body language.

·         Listen carefully to questions and if you don’t understand a question, politely ask for clarification.

·         You can’t know everything. So, if you don’t know the answer, say no. Don’t try to give wrong answer or mislead the interviewer.

·         Be honest about your background and experience.

·         It is important to maintain an eye contact with the interviewer as you speak, which shows that you are confident and honest.

·         Express authentic interests in this position you have applied for. Tell the interviewer about the interest aspects of the job, which are of particular interest for you.

·         At the end of the interview, it is likely to be asked, “do you have any question for us?” This is the right time to ask any relative questions you have about the company or position.

·         Thank the interviewer for his / her time.

·         Send a thank you note.

Dont’s

·         Indulge in negative talks about your previous employer.

·         Make vague statements – be concise and specific.

·         Be too informal.

·         Speak for too long – more than two minutes is normally too much.

·         Act as though you are desperate for employment.

·         Appear anxious to end the interview.

·         Chew gum or smell like smoke.

·         Ask about the salary unless the interviewer brings it up.

·         Allow your cell phone to ring during the interview.