In my work as a professional resume writer, I have had my share of clients who come to me seeking resumes that will land them better jobs in their fields or help them climb the career ladder. In most of these cases, the most glaring problem with the documents they are using is that they tell the reader what the client did in the most vague and general of terms.
The first question I usually ask of such clients is, "So tell me a little about what this involved. Is there anything you're particularly proud of?"
If they can give me a decent answer, they've taken a giant step towards a more effective resume right there.
In a highly competitive job market, employers look for candidates who have a track record of performance. That means more than just carrying out tasks competently. It means having achievements or accomplishments one can point to as examples of how one's work contributed to the employer's success.
For instance, you could say that you answered the phones at your office. That's fine, but it won't impress anyone. Telling potential employers that you handled and defused problems with callers as part of your receptionist duties will make a stronger impression. And if you devised a system for proper routing of calls and messaging, don't be shy about saying so!
Your accomplishments need not be huge to be worth mentioning. If you put together an impressive PowerPoint presentation for a large conference, you can use that to highlight your PowerPoint skills. Or if you reorganized filing or equipment storage to save staff time and improve efficiency, you should note that on your resume.
And wherever you can use numbers, do so -- would-be interviewers often take notice of quantifiable success.
The same advice applies to your cover letter. There, you should not only provide a little detail about your strengths, but also show that you know something about the employer. Instead of writing a generic cover letter, do a little research into the company to which you are applying. Find out some facts about it that are also relevant to your desired job and incorporate those into your letter.
The more the employer sees that you are interested not just in a job, but in their job, the more likely it is you will get called in to interview for it. And the more detail you can provide in your resume about the added value you bring to the table as an office administrative professional, the more likely it is that an employer will try to capture that value by hiring you.
By Sandy Smith
Sandy Smith is an award-winning writer and editor who has spent most of his career in public relations and corporate communications. His work has appeared in The Philadelphia Inquirer, the Philadelphia CityPaper, PGN, and a number of Web sites. Philly-area residents may also recognize him as "MarketStEl" of discussion-board fame. He has been a part of the great reserve army of freelance writers since January 2009 and is actively seeking opportunities wherever they may lie.
Become a member to take advantage of more features, like commenting and voting.
Register or sign in today!