Quick Fixes For Your Resume

We all have a general set of guidelines when it comes to resume writing, but there are a few tips that can turn a decent resume into an excellent one. In times when job competition is tough and the market is a bit rough, it is important to make quick fixes like these that take your credentials to a better level.

1. No doubles. Scan your resume for things you mention more than once. Be sure to keep it simple-a potential employer does not want to waste time reading about more than one similar experience at a past job. To help with this, be sure your past work experience includes simple, direct lists of distinct actions and/or responsibilities.

2. Decide what to emphasize. Depending on what type of work you are looking for and where you are in your career, you can figure out how to order the items on your resume. Are you a recent grad with a 4.0? That should probably be up top. But if you have 2-3 years of experience, education is not as important and past work experience deserves to be higher.

3. Highlight the impressive items. Would you consider where you have worked more impressive than your title while working there? Then be sure to print the company names in bold rather than your title. Simple text enhancements should draw the reader's attention to the things you think are most impressive.

4. Clean things up. Recruiters say again and again that they want simple fonts. No fancy, cursive letters for them. They're looking for a business-like document. Stick to something clean and simple like Arial or Times New Roman. A font change can truly change the first impression people have of you!

5. Get the reader online. The latest addition to resumes is a link (if it's an e-resume) or a URL where potential employers can learn more about you. If you have a professionally-minded web site, suggest it as a great place for a reader to find more information on your past experiences or to see some of your past work.

When using these tips, keep in mind that many people have good resumes. It's the candidate with a great resume that gets hired, and small details can make all the difference.