Tag: resume tip

Resume Tip

Resume Tip: Listing awards received on a resume is a good idea if they demonstrate a skill or accomplishment that relates to the job.

Resume Tip:  Listing awards received on a resume is a good idea if they demonstrate a skill or accomplishment that relates to the job.

Some job seekers list the awards they received on their resume.  This can be a good idea.  An award from an employer, customer or industry association provides a third party validation of your success. Some job seekers list awards unrelated to the job or provide no information that explains the award.  In either case, it is unlikely an award presented without details or unrelated to the job will help the job seeker.

Present awards that directly relate to the job.  Include specifics, including your actions, the competition for the award and how your contributions benefited the company.  This will make an impressive presentation.  No matter how proud you are of an accomplishment, if it is completely unrelated to your career, it will not add value on your resume. 

Resume Tip #12

Resume Tip: Other candidates applying for the same position will have a similar background to you. Set yourself apart with specific accomplishments.

Resume Tip:  Other candidates applying for the same position will have a similar background to you. Set yourself apart with specific accomplishments.

In today’s economy, you can count on your competition being as qualified as you are.  The candidate that gets hired will demonstrate the potential value they offer better than the other candidates.  “Show me, don’t tell me.”  Present specific accomplishments and examples of situations where you have used key skills.  Most candidates will speak in generalizations and look exactly alike in the hiring manager’s eyes.  The candidate that stands out will create a clear image in the mind of the hiring manager of what their performance will look like.

 

Resume Tip #10

Resume Tip: Include on your resume training classes that directly relate to the core skills and activities of the job you are pursuing.

Resume Tip:  Include on your resume training classes that directly relate to the core skills and activities of the job you are pursuing.

Staying current in your industry and developing new skills is important to success in a career.  This is also important in your job search.  Listing the professional development courses you have completed can help sell you to an employer.  The key is staying focused on the courses that are relevant.  Many job seekers go overboard and list every course, seminar and workshop they have completed.  Many of these end up being routine courses every job seeker would have taken, such as basic orientation classes, safety courses or annual regulatory compliance classes.  These do not differentiate the candidate.

In our 2008 survey of resumes, we found three quarters of the resumes included continuing education courses.

Resume Tip #8

Resume Tip: Don’t over exaggerate your experiences or accomplishments.

Resume Tip:  Don’t over exaggerate your experiences or accomplishments.

Your resume is a sales pitch for why you should be hired.  You are expected to present your background positively, but this does not mean that you should characterize your experience as something that it isn’t.  Your resume must be an honest depiction of what you have done.  Some job seekers think exaggeration and lies will get them a job.  In reality, one over exaggeration can cause a hiring manager to doubt everything in a resume and reject the candidate.

Some job seekers with great accomplishments struggle with presenting them so they will be both impressive and believable.  If you are uncertain of the impression you are making with your resume, get a second opinion.

Resume Tip #7

Resume Tip: Include awards and other recognition of your accomplishments on your resume.

Resume Tip:  Include awards and other recognition of your accomplishments on your resume.

With your accomplishments, include recognition of these accomplishments.  This could entail a major corporate award, but often the recognition is less formal.  Some companies provide bonuses for successful projects, recognition lunches or dinners after a significant contribution or a public congratulatory statement.  Consider including these in your resume as they can help validate the significance of an accomplishment.

Resume Tip #6

Resume Tip: Avoid overly dramatic language that tries to make something sound much more impressive than it really is.

Resume Tip:  Avoid overly dramatic language that tries to make something sound much more impressive than it really is.

Saying something in a very unusual way purely to sound impressive will backfire.  Your resume should highlight your strengths and accomplishments.  It is a sales pitch for you.  Just make sure you avoid being overly boastful or all hype and no substance.  You want your presentation to be credible.

 

Resume Tip #5

Resume Tip: Avoid using acronyms in your resume, especially terms that are unique to your employer.

Resume Tip:  Avoid using acronyms in your resume, especially terms that are unique to your employer.

Most organizations develop terms and acronyms that are unique to the firm.  Using these terms on a resume will usually confuse the reader.  You are better off replacing terms with more general words that have a similar meaning.

 

If you are unsure if the terms in your resume are widely known or obscure, get an opinion from someone outside your company or industry.

Resume Tip #1

Resume writing tip for job seekers. Palladian provides expert resume writing services to help job seekers stand out and land interviews.

Resume Tip: Your resume should be clear and easy to understand.

A good way to simplify your message is to include a positioning statement that clearly shows who you are and what you offer in one or two short sentences.  This statement needs to be focused and tailored to the job to be most effective.