Rule of Engagement #3: Cover Letter, RESUME, and Applications! (Part I)

Good news! Some recruiters are interested and I received a communication from a local employer that took me to the second step of their hiring process; a Questionnaire.  Even though too early to tell, the fact that I am picking the interest of a few seekers is very exciting!

I have to tell you that writing a good Resume and Cover Letter is very time consuming; however, writing only one of each is not enough, you have to make sure that you customize your submissions tackling the required experience and qualification, that is, if you have them of course.  Applications these days are very long, mostly electronic and some of them ask the same information over and over again.  Actually, the information that they ask is mostly in your Resume, with certain very important exceptions.  Because these topics may be long, I am going to do a three-part of this Rule of Engagement.  

Rule of Engagement #3: Cover Letter, Resume, and Applications! (Part I)

My first time (and if I am not careful the last) opportunity to impress! 

RESUME:

Some think that a good Resume will get you a job but I disagree. A good Resume will get the attention of the recruiter or hiring manager, that's it.  So we need to make our Resume count!  

Tip #1 - Size of the Resume

Please mind the size of your Resume.  For people with limited to medium work experience a one page Resume should be more than enough. Example of people who should only give a one-page Resume are students or adults who are looking for part time jobs, people who have had jobs that are not within the same industry (for example, worked in an fast food, in shoe store, and at a warehouse).  However, people with years of experience within the same industry and/or field, degrees and certifications, can either have a fuller page or two pages, depending on how important the information is. Certifications and other documents may be included with the Resume but they should be mention in the Resume. People with PhD's could have three pages, if they also have extensive experience in their field. 

Tip #2 - Content of the Resume

Just so you know, recruiters go over hundreds of Resume each week, possibly each day, so they just want to bottom line.  The following will give you an idea and the order in which you will present your qualifications:

Profile: Briefly tell them who you are professionally.  

Experience: (Most recent first) Dates of employment, Company, and City.  Please specifically and concisely explain your duties and accomplishments. 

Education: (Most recent first)Years attended, Major and Minors, graduation year, GPA.

Certifications: Full name, license or certification number(s), year obtained

Professional Memberships: List the full name of the organization and specify if you participate as a volunteer in any capacity.

References: Do not enter family as your references, they will not mean anything to the recruiter. Make sure that you write the full name, and working phone number and e-mail address. Students should list community leaders such as clergy and teachers in addition to any good reference for work experience.  Professionals and career seekers should list long term professional contacts, supervisors, consultants, etc. 

Tip #3 - Customizing your Resume

Like I said, I will have about ONE chance to pick the recruiter of hiring managers' interest, so I need to make sure  that my Resume "talks" to them. Reading the company's profile, the employment description and requirements is the first step before deciding if you current Resume will suffice.  If changes are needed, make sure that you save the new Resume with the name of the employer or position, so that you can easily reference them in the future.  

If you want more information, I recommend that you go to the following website, it has many examples!

http://www.bestsampleresume.com/info/how-to-write-resume.html

Next time Part 2: Cover Letter!