| You can't afford to have your resume trashed | | | | seconds or less. Do NOT write more than two |
| just because you didn't understand the basic | | | | pages. And make them very readable with wide |
| rules for a successful resume and suffer | | | | margins and good spacing. |
| "resume rejection!" | | | | |
| | | | The second rule is that your resume must have |
| Your resume is often the very first contact a | | | | a headline. It's a lot like reading a |
| decision-maker has with you. So, it better | | | | newspaper. You're attracted to an article if |
| be a blockbuster! You better make a big | | | | there's a headline that grabs your attention. |
| impression. And fast! Otherwise your prized | | | | The same is true of a resume. Your headline |
| resume is headed for the waste basket. | | | | is an attention-grabbing statement that |
| | | | states very directly what you have to offer |
| Resume rejection starts with a | | | | the reader. |
| misunderstanding about what a resume can do | | | | |
| for you. First of all, a resume doesn't get | | | | The third rule is to avoid an "objective |
| you a job. Only decisions by hiring managers | | | | statement." This self-serving announcement |
| can get you a job. Therefore, the best a | | | | has little or no meaning to a decision-maker. |
| resume can do for you is getting a hiring | | | | He/she could care less about what you're |
| manager's attention. And that's how it has | | | | looking to get out of this job. The reader |
| to be written. | | | | is interested in learning only two things: |
| | | | what can you do for my bottom line? . . . And |
| If you think you're going to get ahead by | | | | what can you do to make my job easier? |
| loading up your resume with every conceivable | | | | |
| detail about your work history, you just | | | | Instead of an objective statement you want to |
| lost. Resumes are first scanned in less that | | | | make a "summary statement" in which you lay |
| 50 seconds. If something pops off the page | | | | out in assertive language what you bring to |
| to grab the reader's attention, then your | | | | the table that can make a difference. |
| resume may survive the first test. It gets | | | | |
| put on the "keeper" stack for later review | | | | There are many more pointers that can help |
| and more careful reading. | | | | you improve your resume and give it a |
| | | | stronger impact. But if you observe these |
| The very first rule of a successful resume is | | | | three basic rules you'll survive the first |
| that it must be readily scanable in 50 | | | | big test and avoid resume rejection. |