PREPARING A BETTER RESUME
"HOW TO MAKE THAT GREAT FIRST IMPRESSION"
A resume is a one or two page summary of your skills,
accomplishments, experiences, and education designed to
capture a prospective employer's interest. The purpose of a
resume is to secure an interview. It is the primary tool of
your job search and may take several drafts to prepare
effectively.
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A good resume can't get you a job, but a bad
resume can prevent you from getting an interview - and
without the interview there's no chance of getting the job.
The new rules for better resumes start with the fact that
there are fewer rules. There's an opportunity for some
creativity, but not for gimmicks. What works today is a
conservative style and a focus on your achievements -
especially those that are of particular interest to the
reader.
Your resume should reflect the position you are applying
for. It is essential that people who qualify for several
different jobs (and many do) have several resumes. All
resumes should be accurate and truthful, but each should
highlight different strengths as they relate to the job
opening. Therefore, an employer that is interested in
filling an administrative assistant position can review
applicants with the skills and experience appropriate for
their job opening.
Today, obtaining better jobs has become more competitive
than in the 90's. This trend will continue in the 21st
Century as positions require more specialized skills. The
resume is your primary tool in finding a better job;
therefore, extra time spent on its preparation is a good
investment. In fact, some people update their resumes as
they acquire new skills and responsibilities even though
they may never use them to get another job. An updated
resume lends itself and provides you with the necessary tool
to negotiate a salary increase or promotion with your
current employer. The best way to explain the "rules" of
resume writing is to explain what the "DO'S" and "DON'TS"
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