Write a Power-Packed Resume With These Smart Tips

As your job hunt turns into an exercise in submitting application after application to potential employers, remember that your resume serves as a marketing tool for your services. As such, a power-packed resume must stand out from the herd of dozens or hundreds of candidates. Read these eight smart tips for composing the best possible document.

1. Current Contact Information

The top of your power-packed resume must include clear, concise and accurate contact information. Your hiring manager should be able to look at the top of the document and gather all the information he needs to call or email you. Make sure your email address has a professional name to make a good first impression.

2. Succinct Profile

Rather than an Objective section, list four or five of your top attributes as part of the Career Summary. Consider typing three sentences as an opening statement to your power-packed resume as you make a case for your skills and qualifications. Include details about your career goals and unique attributes that set you apart from everyone else.

3. Core Qualities

Play to your strengths in a power-packed resume. Describe your positive attributes in the document, and avoid listing generalities. Try listing bullet points that serve as a snapshot of your best qualities and soft skills, such as "Resolves conflicts amicably" or "Puts customers first."

4. Tangible Values

How do you show what you meant to previous employers? Use numbers and tangible metrics to demonstrate how you helped previous employers meet goals. Rather than write, "Led a dedicated team that sold bricks to local firms," a power-packed resume moves toward "Supervised a team of 10 individuals who increased sales by 10 percent each quarter over four years."

5. Solid Achievements

Much like hard numbers that demonstrate what you did for other firms, your achievements, accomplishments and awards should be provable through your job references. Include information about promotions, awards, job titles and supervisory skills in your resume.

6. Educational Attainment

Much like your job history, start with your highest level of education, and work backwards. If you graduated from college, you don't need to list your high school graduation. Include any continuing education opportunities and certifications in this section.

7. Job Experience

List your most recent employer first, and work backwards. Only include relevant experience with your job title, such as the name of the firm, the dates you worked for the company, the name of your supervisor and information about your accomplishments.

8. Quality References

Include the contact information of two important references on your resume. Select quality references, such as former managers, colleagues who can vouch for your work ethic and any mentors. Always ask permission before putting someone down as a reference, and let them know, if possible, when they might receive a call or email.

Your power-packed resume is a shortened summary of your professional career. Make it count by including concise information that showcases your talents and skills in real ways. Convey your qualifications to a prospective employer in a way that makes you valuable to the organization.

Photo courtesy of Birmingham Public LIbrary at Flickr.com