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1. Why
should you always customize your résumé?
Rewrite your résumé for each employer. Follow this rule:
Put your information in order of interest to your targeted reader.
Use a profile to get everything that's really important right at the top of the
résumé. Here are some
example:
Profile: Small Business
Accounting
Knowledge of A/P, A/R, P/R, G/L accounting, state/local/federal taxation, and
cash flow analysis. Some knowledge of how to conduct business valuation studies.
Experience with several accounting and spreadsheet applications. Can set up new
files and accounts. Always available for overtime as needed.
Profile: Marketing
Assistant
Ability to organize a large mass of information, identify important items from
distracting and irrelevant data, and present pertinent findings orally or in
writing. Knowledge of statistical analysis gained from classes in social
sciences. Ability to write persuasively, with attention to connotations and
subtext. Some understanding of demographics and psychographics. Able to work
independently, and make decisions based on incomplete data sets. Proven talent
for producing in a deadline environment where accuracy is a must. Computer
skilled.
The fact that employers
skim résumés becomes an advantage, rather than a liability, when you have a
good, tight profile.
2. How can
you sell your education?
To get maximum mileage out of your education, describe honors, awards, special
projects, and coursework. Use the heading "coursework" and you can describe the
contents of the curriculum without worrying about the actual name of each
class. Here's an example, soup to nuts:
B.S., Sociology,
minor in Business, 2001
Michigan State University
Coursework included:
• Financial & Management Accounting
• Corporate Finance
• Statistics & Statistical Analysis
• Principles of Sales Management
• Marketing Strategy & Planning
• Marketing Research
Computer skills:
• HTML, MS Office, ACT, WordPerfect
Sample research project:
• Discriminate Analysis and Psycho graphic Profile of Consumer Market for
Premixed Ethnic Culinary Ads.
3.
How can you make your experience go farther?
Students and recent grads often fail to make an effective presentation of their
experience because they use too narrow a definition of work experience. First of
all, relevant "work" experience is in no way limited to paid employment. Also
consider including non-paid work, volunteer work, part-time and temporary
positions, internships, unstructured work, self-employment, odd jobs, and
miscellaneous informal services you may have provided to your academic
department or a favored professor.
4. How can
you use superlatives to enhance your résumé?
Whenever possible, use a superlative in reporting your accomplishments, as in
"Achieved the highest gross sales in the history of the store, a 17%
increase over prior manager." Anytime you can use words like first,
only, most, best, and highest, your reader will be more
impressed. Here are some more examples using superlatives:
•
Youngest member of the New Business Development Task Force.
• Only student representative on the Curriculum Policy Subcommittee.
• Highest paid rookie sales rep in the history of the company.
• First undergraduate ever selected to serve as research assistant to the
chairman of the department.
• Sales associate in the fastest growing unit in the chain.
• Co-author of the winning business plan, the only one ever funded 100% by the
coalition of business professors who sponsor the competition.
As a related point, it is a fact of marketing psychology
that odd numbers are more believable and persuasive than even numbers. "19%"
sounds like a number lifted off a financial report, and "20%" sounds like a wild
guess. Be exact!
5. Why should you include a personal
interest item?
The right human interest listing can make your interviews a breeze, get you
selected for an interview over the top of much more qualified candidates, and
lead to an increased initial salary offer.
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