Think of Your Resume as Your Brochure

Unless you apply for a job in person, your professional resume is one of the few things a hiring manager uses to assess your suitability for a particular job. If you don't have an eye-catching resume that summarizes your skills and work experience effectively, there is a good chance you'll miss out on a lot of interview opportunities. Follow these resume tips to create a professional resume that markets you as an ideal candidate.

Many companies use brochures to market their products and services to potential customers. In a way, your professional resume is a brochure for potential employers. It tells hiring managers about your skills, education, work experience and professional certifications, making it easier for recruiters to determine if you deserve to move forward in the hiring process. Just like companies target their brochures to specific types of customers, you must also target your professional resume to a specific industry or type of job. Don't send the same resume to every potential employer, or you won't be able to showcase your skills effectively.

Salespeople have to market products and services based on the needs of their customers. You should use the same approach when writing a professional resume. If a potential employer needs someone with five years of experience using a specific software package, make sure your resume highlights your experience using the software. Instead of focusing on creative touches, focus on including information that helps the hiring manager determine if you are a good candidate for the job opening.

Sending out a brochure full of mistakes can hurt a company's reputation. The same goes for mailing a professional resume or cover letter with errors. If you don't take time to proofread your resume, the hiring manager might doubt your ability to submit error-free work. Before sending out your resume, read it several times to make sure there are no grammar errors, spelling mistakes or formatting problems. Don't rely on the spell-checker included with your word-processing program; this feature frequently misses errors. Finding your own mistakes is difficult, so don't be afraid to ask a friend or family member to proofread your professional resume for you.

The copy in a marketing brochure presents a company in the best possible light. When you write a resume, you should follow the same principle. Without exaggerating your accomplishments, present yourself as an ideal candidate for the job opening. Back up your claims by including information about your achievements in the body of the resume. If you saved your last employer thousands of dollars or implemented a system that improved efficiency significantly, let hiring managers know about your accomplishment.

Instead of focusing on what you want out of a potential employer, you must show hiring managers how hiring you would benefit them. Convince hiring managers to interview you by filling your professional resume with information about your skills and accomplishments, not a list of job duties. Following these resume tips can help you land more interviews and improve your chances of getting a rewarding job in your industry.

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