The importance of creating the "Winning Resume"

Over the last year and a half everyone has seen the job market slim down, thus creating Supply and Demand within a job search. The demand for a job is high and the supply of resumes are high, so how can you, as a candidate, set your resume apart to ensure that yours will be at the top of the chosen list? Employers no longer are looking at those resumes that "resemble" what the job duties might entail. Instead they are looking for key words that a resume has that fits their necessary job skill. "Nearly one-in-four human resources managers said they receive, on average, more than 75 résumés for each open position, according to a nationwide survey by Careerbuilder.com." Your resume has to set apart from your competition to even be recognized from the beginning.

Taking extra steps to sell yourself is a must in this job seeker market, where as in the past you might have been able to get by with a simple ho-hum resume. Think of your resume as a piece of marketing material, would you even consider working for a company if they didn't present themselves in a manner worthy of your business? You may not want to read an entire message board about a company, but rather see their highlights-what is most important to their clientele, their expertise, and length they have been in business. These little things are their selling tools that set them apart from their competition, exactly what you would need to do to set yourself apart from your competition.

Below you will find some tips that we have found to be successful for improving resumes for some of our placed employees:

1. Really know who the company is by reading their job description and formatting your resume based on what they are looking for.

2. Apply to a position that fits your background; do not randomly apply to a position. Any future position that you might have been considered for may be lost, due to the fact that you did not take to the time to read the details of that job description. Do not assume that if you apply the company will automatically consider what is on your resume for other opportunities. If they do not see any skills that match what they are looking for your resume may be found in the deleted file.

3. Bullet points versus the paragraph. Depending on the recruiter, they may tell you that they prefer one over the other. Be prepared to have a resume with each. From my own personal point of view, it is easier to read job descriptions when it is placed in a bullet format. Again, it is assisting in those key words and phrases, which we as recruiters, are looking for when reviewing resumes for a particular job.

4. Listing skills and qualifications are a must. You have the skills that the position requires so list them. Companies are more apt to select those individuals that are even remotely familiar with their software. The quicker they can get you up and running, the faster they are at receiving a return on their investment.

5. Education- if you are a recent graduate then place at the top of the resume, otherwise education should be placed at the end of your resume with your skills and qualifications.

Your resume is your "First Impression" to a recruiter, so dress to impress! Only you can market and sell yourself. If you don't sell yourself, how can you expect anyone to sell your experience, and in that case, to want to buy what it is your selling.

By: Estelle Wilmer
Client Services Specialist
Kennmark Bullock Personnel