Simply put, the purpose of a resume is to highlight your skills and qualifications. Another reason to write a resume is to explain how your previous employment history has prepared you for the position you are applying for. Since your resume will be compared to many others, it is essential to spend some time crafting an effective resume that stands out.
One point of writing a resume is to share your objective with employers. This section of your resume is important because it allows you to show your interest in a specific position. When writing your objective, avoid mentioning your desire to be promoted. Employers are hiring for a specific position, so mentioning a desire to advance to another position shows you are not truly interested in the job you are applying for. Keep your objective statement limited to your current objective, not your long-term goal. Also, since many recruiters stop scanning a resume if the first few lines are weak, make your objective strong by connecting your skills to your objective. For example, state how your previous work experience has allowed you to develop skills that can be utilized in the position you are applying for.
Another point of writing a resume is to summarize your skills to show you are a top candidate for a job. The summary of your skills needs to stand out, so design this section in a way that catches the attention of employers. Whether you list this information in paragraph form or use bullet points, be specific. Instead of saying you have customer service skills, list how many years of industry experience you have. The point of this section is to highlight specialized skills, so omit any skill that is not specialized, such as experience making copies.
A resume also serves as an overview of your employment history. This part of the resume is important because it shows how long you stayed with past employers and provides information on the job duties you were assigned at previous jobs. This section of your resume also gives you an opportunity to expand on your stated skills. Write a resume that is effective by describing specific situations that led to the development of a skill. For example, if you state you have managerial skills, explain how many employees you supervised.
Lastly, writing a resume allows you to provide an employer with information regarding your educational background and achievements. However, this section is not limited to college. If you have received any certifications, such as a certification in a computer program, list it. You need to also list any awards you received, whether it was for good attendance or a promotion. This section allows you to highlight your accomplishments, so it is very important to provide as much information as possible.
Your resume serves a number of purposes. It provides information on your skills, qualifications and job history. How well you write a resume reflects your ability to write, edit and compose documents. Since a resume is the first point of contact with an employer, always polish and update your resume before sending it out.
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