Job Searches

Lesson 2: Now Do It!

Write, Read, Edit, Write, Read, Edit, Write, Read, Edit AGAIN.

If you thought the first part was hard, this is harder. Once you have something on paper, you must read it, then edit it. Think you’re done? Nope, read it again, edit it again, and repeat the process. Once you’ve done this a few times, give it to three other people to read, edit and comment. Don’t just give to family or trusted friends, give this to people who can be honest. Don’t take everything they say to heart, look at their comments as a prospective employer looking at your resume for the first time.

You do need their feedback to see if your resume flows or gets stuck anywhere. Is the wording awkward? Did you miss a spelling or grammar mistake? Does it look lopsided? And don’t forget to ask for positive remarks – what DOES look good, what does make this resume shine?

You are no alone at this time. 101 has an excellent tip section for your resume (and other needs for landing that job) – check out “25 tips for Resume Writing” pg 182.

Think you’ve edited enough? Never. I had a resume out on the market once for almost six months, was successful in obtaining contracts, and only one pointed out a very simple grammar error. Who knows how many contracts I didn’t get because of that one proofreading error.

Think your resume is finished? Never. You must constantly update it to suit the job you are going for. Change your Objective to fit the requirements. Stress on your resume by order of sections what you have that the job says they want. But don’t go so far as to not be honest. Don’t lie, but you don’t have to tell the whole truth.

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