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The presentation of a resume is a crucial factor in impressing today's employer. In many instances, a poor resume can mean no interview. Presentation can be thought of as packaging - the Christmas package with the professional wrap is opened first because it catches the eye. It is not so different with the resume.
A resume should present the person in the best possible light - truthful, of course, but uniquely focused on qualities that highlight the job applicant's strengths. An organized resume allows the employer to quickly scope the applicant's potential for contribution to the company. Time is associated with efficiency. A resume that has to be "waded through" will likely not be read.
There are three types of resumes most often used today: focused, competency cluster, and work history. Each should be considered. Then the job applicant should choose the resume type that most aligns itself with his or her profession or stage in life. For instance, the graduate fresh out of school with no work experience would not choose the work history type resume to make the best impression on an employer or interviewer. Rather, the focused or competency cluster resume should be used to turn attention to qualities that the new graduate can bring as assets to the company.
The Focused Resume
The focused resume targets capabilities and achievements in such as way as to aim at a particular job or employment field. The purpose is to bring attention to specialized training, education, and/or experience that are related to the job to which one is applying. Sections of the resume should be arranged with name, address, telephone, and email address at the top, followed by headings that are labeled as Abilities, Achievements, Work History, and Education. Another section can be added near the end of the resume where professional organizations may be listed. If there is little work history, membership in professional organizations can show a positive commitment to the field.
The Competency Cluster Resume
The competency cluster resume is similar to the focused resume in highlighting abilities, but it differs in that its purpose is more general. The competency cluster resume centers around general talents and qualities that show the ability to function in a variety of areas, thus making the crossover to several jobs that utilize those skills a possibility. This resume should also start with name, address, telephone, and email. Content sections should have headings of Overview, Competencies, Work History, and Education. As with the focused resume, Professional Affiliations may be listed at the end.
Work History Resume
The work history resume essentially chronicles jobs and experience. These are often most effective when applying for jobs where it is posted that experience is a must to be considered for the position. This resume is more traditional in format. Name, address, telephone number, and email address constitute the beginning. Sections should follow that are labeled as Overview, Employment, Education, and Professional Organizations, if there are any.
Heading Suggestions
Information that best promotes the person's qualifications for the job should be listed relative to each section. Suggestions and explanations for the various headings follow:
- Overview - A brief sentence stating the main goal of the applicant, perhaps as it relates to the person's qualifications. An overview statement is optional.
- Competencies - A listing of skills such as the ability to run certain computer programs, do desktop publishing, teach a class on a given subject, conduct research in certain areas, etc.
- Abilities - Short bulleted statements listing past training, experience (doing certain skills, not a listing of employers), committees served on, leadership positions, etc.
- Achievements - Short statements listing certifications, honors, specialized training (honors classes,) awards, staffing positions of merit, etc.
- Work History - List of jobs beginning with the most recent. Dates should be given. It is acceptable to list the years only without the exact months and days.
- Education - List of degrees, beginning with most recent one attained.
- Professional Organizations - List of profession-related affiliations and organizations in which membership is held.
Check List
- Qualities and attributes should be viewed as products to be sold to the employer. In other words, talents are assets and must be presented in the light of how they will contribute to the overall good of the company.
- Standard formatting, including the use of sections separated by spaces created by use of one or two returns on the keyboard, is advisable. Pages should not be "filled" with writing.
- Resumes that are "reader-friendly," clear, concise, and to the point, are welcomed by employers. Elaborate explanations that are time-consuming to read should be avoided, as well as unnecessarily long words, sentences, and paragraphs.
- Subjects that might not present qualifications and assets in the best light should not be brought into focus on a resume.
- The length of the average resume today is one or two pages. An exception to this rule is made for professions associated with publication. Examples are authors who list books, musicians who list published song titles, and scientists who list published research.
- Goals and objectives can be tailored to fit the job under consideration.
- Achievements will speak for themselves without embellishments.
- A list of references should be prepared for the employer if he or she requests them, but many resumes do not list references today. References should be made aware that they may be contacted ahead of time.
Above all, it is important that the resume be professional. The resume is the first sample of the applicant's work that a potential employer will likely see.
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