5 Writing Rules to Garner Attention

Most resumes contain similar information, so it is how you present your qualifications that often determines if a hiring manager is interested in meeting with you. In fact, writing a resume is very similar to writing an advertisement, except you are advertising yourself instead of a product or service. If you want hiring managers to read your resume from beginning to end, follow these resume writing tips.

Organize your information in bite-sized chunks instead of large blocks of text. Think about how you would react if you had to read a report with long sentences, no headings and no special formatting to break up the text and make it easier to read. Hiring managers have the same reaction when presented with resumes that contain too much text and not enough white space. When writing a resume, use bold text to start each new section or emphasize your achievements. Leave plenty of space around each section to avoid writing a resume that looks cluttered.

Capture attention by including a professional summary at the top of your resume. If the hiring manager skims your resume, you want the most important information to be at the top of the first page. If you have trouble writing a resume summary, look at copies of your old resume for inspiration. For maximum impact, include one or two of your biggest professional achievements. Proofread your professional summary carefully before sending your resume to potential employers.

When you are writing a resume, you have a limited amount of space to list your qualifications and convince hiring managers you deserve a second look. Therefore, you must remove anything that is not completely relevant to the position you are seeking. Your resume should not include a photograph of you, your marital status, your Social Security number or any other personal information. Do not include hobbies on your resume unless they directly relate to the open position. Most employers want a maximum of two pages, so you should also remove jobs you held more than 20 years ago.

Almost anyone can write a boring resume, but writing a resume hiring managers actually want to read is a real accomplishment. Instead of creating a boring list of past jobs, focus on speaking directly to the hiring manager. Use action verbs and engaging phrases to keep hiring managers interested in what you have to say. Demonstrate why you are a good fit for the job by giving the hiring manager relevant examples of your achievements.

If you want to get your foot in the door of a new company, a well-written resume is the key. If you are writing a resume, make it as interesting as possible. Take time to customize it according to the job description provided by the employer. By following these resume writing tips, you can impress hiring managers without embellishing or resorting to gimmicks.

Photo courtesy of jomphong at FreeDigitalPhotos.net