Preparing Resume

Preparing Resume

The purpose of a resume is to advance the job search to the next stage-an interview. Though the document will not secure a job in most cases, it is an essential first step to begin a process that hopefully will end with a successful result.
For the person preparing and submitting the resume, it is a tool to move forward. However, for the manager reviewing the resume it is a quick screening tool to determine whether or not to spend more time on a job candidate. Managers that review numerous resumes generally develop a screening process that allows them to separate out the job applicants for interview or those to refuse. The amount of time a manager spends reviewing a resume varies, however, some managers spend as little as 7 seconds on this task. With so little time for the job applicant's biographical document to make a positive first impression, it is imperative that a person work hard to communicate well in this piece.
Following are some key points to work through to help improve the overall impression:
The document should not exceed one page with normal margins and normal font size. Including the right pieces of information are necessary to get to the interview stage. Just as important, though is selecting the information to leave out. A candidate demonstrates their decision-making ability by determining what information to omit. The content that is or is not in a resume or CV begins to tell the manager about the candidate's work style and ability. The information that is contained in the document should demonstrate a candidate's ability to perform well in some aspects of the job that they are pursuing.
The resume objective should answer the question, "Why did you send me this resume?" This is the place where the job applicant states their reason(s) for pursuing a job. The objective should share about why is this position interesting for the candidate and why should the candidate be a desirable employee for the company. Each resume sent out should have the objective clearly oriented to that company and the position an individual is pursuing. Here are a couple of examples of an objective for resume or CV use.
To obtain a challenging position utilizing my strengths and experience to work with people in an atmosphere conducive to professional growth and development.
To promote the mission, vision and values of a company by utilizing my experience, expertise and enthusiasm.
The design of the document should appeal to others. Several important design elements to be aware of include:
White space - It is important to have an attractive design to the document. No one is required to read your resume or CV. It is helpful for you to make it appealing by having an appropriate amount of quality information. This document is not a biography, however. In putting only the most important information in the best form, you should have margins that are blank with plenty of space. There should be some space in between entries and categories of information to help with setting apart important information. It may be helpful on this point to keep different versions of your document and compare them to see differences in what is appealing to the eye in terms of design and white space.
Hierarchy of information and "color" - Using the sample outline helps greatly to organize information in order and rank of importance. When holding the document a little ways away, the boldness or color of the text should communicate the importance of the item. Once again this can be done with white space such as the amount of space an item is inset from the margin as well as the size and type of font.
Design flow - It is helpful to design in the way that the eye has been trained to move. At one of the later drafts of a resume or CV, it is helpful to observe the flow of information. Ensure that the elements naturally guide the eye from the top-left to the bottom-right.
Fonts - In design, less is often more. With fonts, this is true. Because serif fonts help guide the eye along the line of text with the natural built-in lines-the serifs-this type of font is most often selected for larger amounts of text.
Paper - If the document will be presented as a hard copy, it is important to put it on quality paper. This could be a heavier weight white paper or a linen or other quality business paper. Select the paper and color that fits the organization to which you are applying and represents you individually.
Simplicity - Once again, the resume or CV should be appealing. In the last versions, the candidate will do well to evaluate whether or not their resume has the necessary information and if so, then does it look inviting.
Be honest. Claims that a candidate makes in a resume or interview will often be checked in conversations with a candidate's references. For example if a person puts that they are fluent in another language, the interviewer may ask them a question in the other language to ensure accuracy of content. Even if claims are not checked, there will be a level of performance expected that is consistent with the information shared in the resume or CV and the interview. Market yourself well, but do it with integrity for peace of mind and better long-term employment opportunities.

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