A resume is your opportunity to be on the center stage, under the spotlight, in front of a captivated audience. Turn that spotlight into a highlight by shining yourself in the BEST light! Writing a resume can be a daunting task, but it is one of the best investments you can make in finding your next job opportunity. It’s your calling card – make sure you are heard! Here are some recruiting tips that are easy and simple enough to get you on your way to writing an effective resume.

Address

If you are wary about having your physical address on your resume, include, at least, your city, state and zip code. Recruiting Tip: Recruiting companies search for candidates in their databases by their zip codes. Give yourself the opportunity to pop up in searches so you are contacted for open positions. Get yourself seen!

Accomplishments

One of the best ways to make your resume shine is to change the commonly used term "responsibilities included" to "accomplishments included". It is important to highlight what you accomplished, not just list your responsibilities. Position your resume to be a predictor to hiring managers of your work ethic and capabilities, thus showing value. Recruiting Tip: Recruiters have far more resumes to look at than hiring managers so make it easy for them to find the accomplishments they are looking for.

Summary

Make your summary short and sweet, by clearly stating your goals with a sense of direction. A summary is an additive, not the meat of the resume, so keep it short. Recruiting Tip: Make sure your resume summary is in alignment to your career objectives and the position for which you are applying.

Gaps

If you have gaps in your employment, simply state what you were doing during those gaps. The best way to avoid speculation or suspicion by hiring managers is to be transparent and explain the gaps up front. Even if you were doing something without gaining income, like volunteering, attending school, parenting or traveling, reflect it.

Look

The last thing you want is a negative distraction to this beautifully crafted and polished masterpiece you’ve taken so much time putting together. Formatting is one of the quickest killers of simplicity and ease. All the fancy tables, grids, and graphics are a quick way to get your resume passed up! Additionally, always put your document in Word and not in PDF form.

Recruiting Tip: Good recruiting firms will reformat your resume before submitting it to a client. Tables, grids and PDF’s are a nightmare to work with. Be a Teacher’s Pet, and make it a joy to represent you!

Paper

Save yourself the money of using fancy paper. Hiring managers agree that parchment paper and the like come across as pretentious and novice. Brightly colored paper will make you stand out…in a bad way. Additionally, colored paper is as equally frowned upon as fancy paper stock, and if a copy needs be made, colored paper can come out poorly. Present yourself as a serious, solid candidate, sans the bells and whistles. Your resume content should be the only bells and whistles needed!

Tailor

Always tailor your resume to the position for which you are applying…point for point. Additionally, never underestimate the value of a well written cover letter describing how you have hand selected this job opportunity and why you believe you are a perfect match for the position and for the company.

Investing in a Lifetime of Success,

Angela Roberts