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Blog: Can We Have Some Order Here?
 Organizing Your Resume
Your resume is an employer's first look at you -- and the impression it makes can either earn or lose you that job. What is your future boss looking for in a resume? How can you make yours stand out in the crowd? Here are a few tips.
The Devil Is In The Details
When was the last time you read through your resume critically? Reviewed your grammar, spelling, and the structure of your sentences? While this isn't a novel, you should be just as concerned about your writing style and language as you would be when submitting a proposal to a publisher. Sloppy wording and confusing syntax won't score points with an employer! If writing isn't your strong suit, have a friend or colleague review it for you -- and be open to any suggested corrections.
Also look critically at length. If you've only been in the work world for a few years and your resume is 9 pages long, you might want to rethink things a bit. Remember that the purpose of a resume isn't to list every single responsibility throughout your entire career. When you're going for a management position, no one cares that you changed the copy machine toner as an intern. Your goal is to focus on those skills which are most relevant to the job you seek -- to show why you would be an asset to the company and a good match for the position. Separate the wheat from the chaff and only list those work activities that really sell your abilities.
But before an employer ever reads the first word of your resume, he or she is going to look at it from an aesthetic point of view. Is your resume printed on good-quality stock -- or whatever cheap stuff was sitting in your paper tray? Have you chosen a font that is easy to read, professional-looking, and attractive to the eye? Are your margins consistently aligned down the page? Is the paper free from smudges? These might all seem like minor concerns, but a failure to pay attention to the details can negatively impact an employer's opinion of you, before he even has a chance to find out about your qualifications and experience.
Finally, don't become trapped or limited by your resume. If you are applying for several different types of positions, why would you give every employer the same piece of paper? A broad and varied skill-set can be an asset, but you have to be careful to frame your experience in a way that says, "well-qualified for this particular position" -- not "lacking in focus." Create a couple of different resumes, with each honing in on a different talent. Then you can submit the resume that makes the most sense for that company and job listing. For example, let's say that you are in finance. You might submit the "analytical and detail-oriented" resume for a job at an accounting firm, but choose to use the "creatively finds ways to save money" resume for a position at a non-profit organization. Each one discusses your experience working in finance, but from a different perspective -- one that addresses the concerns and focus of your possible employer.
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posted on: 1/12/2012 11:30:00 AM by Ramona Creel
category: General Organizing Tips
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Can We Have Some Order Here?
by Ramona Creel
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About Ramona:
I have been a Professional Organizer for more than 10 years, I am a NAPO Golden Circle member, and I was the original founder of OnlineOrganizing. I have worked one-on-one with scores of clients and have trained dozens of newbie organizers as they got started in the industry. I provide both hands-on and virtual coaching to help clients improve their organizing skills and simplify their lives. I invite you to visit my website at http://www.RamonaCreel.com, and I challenge you to find one new idea that you can put into practice in your life, to help you become better organized, starting TODAY! I am passionate about coaching folks toward a more balanced, productive, and enjoyable life -- and I firmly believe that if I can do it, so can you!
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