Keep it polished

R E S U M E S

By Jane Young

Special to The Capital-Journal

A resume is one of the most important tools to land a job. Potential employers often select interview candidates based on resume content. Busy human resources managers will look through stacks of resumes searching for key words that describe a candidate's skills, residence, education/training, and time spent in each position. Make your language clear and concise, and your resume will move to the next step --- the interview.

It is critical to include every piece of work history and training relevant to the job for which you are applying. The length of the resume will depend on your work experience and credentials. If you are new to the job market, your resume may only be one page in length. If you have been working for several years, your resume may be two to three pages in length. The key here isn't to put everything you have ever done on one resume.

The essential elements of a resume include:

- Name, complete mailing address, e-mail, telephone number with area code.

- Employment history, beginning with the present or most recent job.

- Education, awards, accomplish--

ments.

- Other training, including other languages.

- Computer hardware and software skills.

- Outside interests.

As you can see, most of the information included is basic. The key is how it is presented. When you put the "work history and achievements" section together, avoid copying verbatim the listed duties found on a current or previous job description. Potential employers need to know job performance, as well as job description. Therefore, detail achievements, not just tasks.

Use action verbs. If still employed, use present tense verbs like "maintain," "supervise," "train" or "manage." If it's previous work experience, use past tense action verbs, such as "developed," "saved," "increased" or "reduced."

Whenever possible, include achievements as part of your explanation or responsibilities. For example, if part of your current job requires you to answer all incoming calls, consider describing it like this: "Greet and route 100 incoming calls weekly," instead of "Answer all incoming calls." This statement will have more of an effect on the reader, especially if the business experiences a heavy call volume.

The following information shouldn't be included in your resume:

- Age, marital status, children, health, physical size.

- A picture.

- Reasons for leaving your previous jobs.

- Salary requirements.

- Grade point average, unless 3.5 or higher.

- Names of references --- have these available on a separate list.

- Use of the pronoun "I."

- Lengthy descriptions of previous positions held.

Keep your resume current. If you have changed your phone number, address or e-mail, change those items on your resume. Striking through and making changes in pen won't leave a good impression.

If you tailor your resume for the reader and detail how your experience and accomplishments will benefit the company, you will have a greater chance of being called for an interview. A great resume is the first tool to a successful job search.

Jane Young is branch manager

of Express Personnel Services in Topeka.

She can be contacted at (785) 267-2773.

Copyright 2002
Provided by ProQuest Information and Learning Company. All rights Reserved.