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Series: How to Write a Resume (that gets job interviews)

November 16, 2008 by Fox | Comments: 20

This article is the introduction to a multiple part series on How to Write a Resume (that gets job interviews).

If you’re anything like my best friends, your resume probably sucks. Yes, I’m sure your skills, experiences, and qualifications don’t suck. But to be honest, very few job searchers know how to write a professional resume that consistently lands them a job interview.

I’ve been on both ends of the resume game. I’ve reviewed hundreds of resumes as part of a hiring team. I’ve also applied to numerous jobs in various fields using countless resume types, formats, samples, templates, presentations, and content. Over the years, I’ve discovered why few resumes stand out and why most end up lining kitty litter trays.

Resume Writing Series:
What is a Killer Resume? 10 Resume Dos 10 Resume Sins Resume Anatomy 6 Sucky Resume Words 6 Resume Action Words 8 Resume Keywords 3 Resume Formats Free Resume Examples Free Resume Template

Resume writing is not rocket science. But your resume must impress the reader in seconds to be effective. Otherwise, your skills and experiences will be recycled faster than you can say, “paper shredder”.

About the Resume Writing Series

So how do you write a resume that impresses and gets you that golden job interview? There’s a knack to presenting your skills, education, and qualifications on paper. In this series I’m going to show you how to do it. I’ll also deal with these common resume writing issues:

How to organize all your resume information!
What should you include? What should you avoid?
What resume writing tips and tricks work?
How many pages? What format?
How to present problem situations like layoffs, job hopping, parenting, sickness, little experience, being fired.
Should you hire a resume writing service?
And much more!

I may just include a few free sample resumes, resume templates, and resume examples to help you along the way.

So now what?

Before you jump in and start revving up your resume, it may be a good idea to look inward first for some introspective thinking. No, I’m not going all Oprah on you. But before you can write some resume stuff, it would help to know what makes you tick! To get ticking, take a peek at this series:

Five Paths to Choosing Your Perfect Career:

Five Ways To Find Your Passion (free printable worksheet)

How To Find Your Strengths (free printable worksheet)

How to Set Your Goals (free printable worksheet)

10 Tips to Nurture Your Network

10 Ways to Enhance Your Education

Another good way to get resume ready, is to find the right job! To get job hunting, try the ideas in this series:

Four Ways to Kick Start Your Job Hunt:

How to Choose a New Career

How to Find a Job

How to Research a Prospective Employer

How to Match Your Skills to Employer Requirements (free printable worksheet)

To not miss a single free resume hint or tip:
Subscribe to get free updates!

Now sit back and get ready to write a resume that gets you job interviews.

Do you have any resume writing tips to share? Got any resume horror stories? Do you keep your resume up-to-date? Share in the comments below!

Posted Under: Career & Work

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Comments:

Michelle November 16th, 2008

I think it the resume can be kept to one page they you are in good shape! If you have held similar jobs in the past…do not just cut&paste that same information…b/c they know.

Unless this is specifically requested by the hiring manager leave the “objective” or “summay” section out! They are very rarely read by recruiters, no less the hiring manager….and OH NO if you for got to change it for this job and it was totally different!
Hope this helps someone!
Fox November 17th, 2008

@Michelle Your advice is solid! Thank you so much. I tend to waver on “objectives” and “summaries”. But yeah, when I was hiring and read someone’s objective saying, “To get a job in your marketing department” I would just laugh out loud. Totally useless. Leaving out the objective also makes a one-page resume more possible.
Steve November 28th, 2008

There are no simple steps to write a good resume but these are some good tips, I agree that writing a good description is important! If someone follows your advice they will have a solid resume for sure!
mike January 9th, 2009

Definitely don’t write an objective that says, “To land a career where I can consistently bang the interns.”

The interviewer already knows this. It’s the same as saying to someone “I like yoo-hoo.” No shit! Everyone likes yoo-hoo!
BJ Rakow April 8th, 2009

The major reason for not writing an objective is because it tells the reader what you want. The employer could care less. Instead, write a summary or profile that tells them what they get. It’s a great marketing opportunity for you to state right up front what a great fit you are by virtue of your background, experience, accomplishments, etc.
Catgurl April 14th, 2009

Just stumbled on your site when I was looking up some bean recipes. What a fabulous site and your sense of humour is just great!

As for your resume tips, they are great! I work in the Employment Counselling field for over nine years now and shake my head at some of the resumes I see.

Not sure where you are located, but if peeps needs help with resumes, there are free job search services out there. Just need to look for them. Sure wish that I knew about them
when I was out of school.

Keep up the great work!
Monevator May 2nd, 2009

Fabulous series and well suited for the times.

That said, I’ve sent readers here who are looking for a new job, but I hope I don’t have to read it too closely myself.