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