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Resume Writing Strategies

© Annemarie Cross

In today's job market, advertisements for positions vacant, more often than not, request interested parties to register their interest by submitting a resume. So what exactly is a resume? Should we be sending the prospective employer a detailed and lengthy document that provides data right back to the very first job held, combined with an extensive list of responsibilities for each role? And what about hobbies, interests and other personal details such as date of birth, marital status and number of dependants? These are just a few of the extensive questions constantly asked by applicants faced with the task of having to put together their resume. Another misconception is that a resume will secure you the position, however this is far from the truth, as the main purpose of a resume is to secure you an interview.

To assist you in the development of a professional resume that portrays your expertise in such a way that demands an interview, I have prepared a list of tips to facilitate your writing process.

Consider yourself in the advertising game and imagine that you are marketing a product (or service) to a prospective buyer, with the product being "yourself" and the prospective buyer, the "employer". We know that there is currently a 'need' (because of the advertised position), so your resume will be the marketing document that strategically informs and promotes your expertise to their requirements. You are demonstrating how you can not only fit into the role, but also make a significant contribution which can be portrayed with a succinctly written job scope, quantified with a list of accomplishments and positive contributions made during your employment. The aim is to create a desire by showcasing your expertise and, through building an interest in the benefits and value you bring to their organization, that motivates them to take action (i.e. the interview.)

When developing your career-marketing document, the phrase "sell it...don't tell it" is imperative, particularly if you want your resume to stand out from the other 100 or so candidates applying for the position. Strategic advertising concepts can also be followed within resume writing, and if utilized correctly can catapult your candidacy to the top of the pile.

So just how do we go about developing a document that demands an interview? Following is a list of how to go about identifying relevant content; how to develop high-impact wording in order to portray your abilities as best as possible by identifying dynamic "action-words"; and various sections to include to develop the best format and structure for your resume.