Employment – Page 19 – TP Javeton WebNet

Sources of Industry-Specific Resume Samples

Resume writing: Investment in time

If you’ve pursued more than one job or position in your lifetime, you’ll probably agree that writing a resume is a difficult task, regardless of your level of experience with the process; and while the content of your resume is critical to the effectiveness of your overall document, the layout and format utilized are equally as important. If you are about to write a new resume or update an existing one, you should start by researching different resume styles and find out which best represents your field.

The biggest mistake made by individuals when composing their resumes is using a generic template that comes included with a given text editing software like Microsoft Word. These templates are usually outdated and very difficult to format – not to mention that they do not transfer well to online job applications. Avoid the quick-fix utility of such resume templates, and invest some time in finding resources that will provide you with up-to-date and helpful ways to compose a winning resume.

The easiest and least expensive way to find samples of resumes in your specific industry is to run a search on the Internet; but before you get started, a word of caution: consider the sources of information before you decide to utilize any of their suggestions in your resume. You will come across web sites that promise to teach you how to write an exceptional cover letter in three and a half minutes. Don’t believe these gimmicky claims!

Consider the resume sample source

Just be mindful of anyone making promises that seem “too good to be true,” because unless you choose to hire a resume writing service, obtaining resources on resume writing should not cost you any money or obligate you to a long-term commitment. If you are unsure of the integrity of information you see or the credibility of any source providing it, simply find another source and compare your findings.

A great online resource for resume writing and composition is Monster.com, who is mostly known for their job search database; but along with their database, they offer a variety of other information and services for individuals looking for employment. Under the Career Advice tab, you will find a wealth of information on your job search, salary requirements, advice by industry, and information about perfecting your resume.

In addition to articles about your job search and resume-related message boards, Monster’s Resume Center includes a variety of resume examples for professionals in a number of different industries. From administrative assistants to web designers, everyone can find career management tools that best fit their career objectives at: Monster.com Career-Management

Pros & con basics of resume writing

This page shows you samples of functional and chronological resumes, traditional resumes and sample cover letters, so it is important that you take the time to review these samples; and don’t be afraid to copy the formatting for your own resume (of course, you are advised against copying the actual text from their resume sample). But proceed with confidence because the information is provided by a source that is most certainly reliable.

If you are among that group of individuals who already have a draft of their resume, and are looking to make updates or revisions, check out the Resume Makeovers section of monster.com for a great look at the before and after resumes of real professionals: Go to Monster.com Resume Samples to take a look!

It is important that you review these samples, even if the industry is not applicable to your line of work, because doing so will teach you the basic pros and cons of resume writing where you can see why some things work and why others don’t; and you will also be able to chose the best ways to highlight your qualifications. Of course the same rules apply to copying content: do not copy another person’s work. However, use these resources to your advantage and create the resume that best represents you in the eyes of potential employers.

Job Descriptions Prioritized on a Resume

Qualification listings

The most difficult and time consuming section of any resume is the listing of your work experience, no matter the level you’ve reached in your professional career. If you recently graduated college and lack full-time professional experience, you may be concerned about whether or not a part time job and/or summer internship will be enough to get your foot in the door; and if you are a seasoned professional with extensive work experience, you are worried about how to fit all of your hard work on a single page.

Furthermore, if you are changing careers, you might very well be unsure about which skills best showcase your qualifications. Even with all these worries and concerns, listing work responsibilities on our resumes still does not get easier as our careers move forward. That having been said however, the key is to consider your career objective and prioritize the work in accordance to your goals.

When some individuals are asked about work responsibilities they have a tendency to disclose the routine items first; but this method can create the costly mistake of listing professional experiences on your resume, because it leaves all the important and key qualifications at the bottom. To avoid falling into this practice, a job applicant should first put together a rough draft – in list form – of his/her responsibilities on a sheet of paper consisting of everything s/he does in a current job, or have done in previous jobs.

Setting the resume priorities

Once your list is completed, consider all of the responsibilities included and make a determination of what the three most important items on the list are for each job. Then consider how those items relate to the stated career objective. Are there any other responsibilities listed that better support that career objective than the three selected? If they are better, are they also most critical to the job? An applicant must consider all these questions in order to prioritize his/her job descriptions on a resume.

It may be helpful to begin each description with a power word such as managed, developed or communicated; and make sure that any statements listed first quantify your achievements; but don’t be afraid to list descriptions like sales figures, customer acquisition rates, budget and timeline successes, or other figures which help put your responsibilities in context of the business or field in which you are working. Also, these statements should be aligned with your career objective.

If, for example, you want to get a job in project management, letting your employer know that you managed a team of 20 people will effectively highlight your qualifications. The importance of quantifying your job description statements on a resume cannot be overstated. However, as a word of caution, do not quantify all statements, just one or two that are goal driven and most critical to your job. This shows potential employer that you think in terms of exceeding your goals. Keep in mind that all subsequent descriptions of your responsibilities should support the first one or two items on your list.

Achievements & qualifications

Prioritizing doesn’t only apply to your job descriptions, although it is the most commonly disregarded element in this particular area of the resume. Achievements and qualifications are often misrepresented because they are not ordered properly; but the same rules apply.

Make a determination as to which of your achievements and qualifications are most complimentary to your career objective, and list them first. For example, if you are applying for a job in customer service, it helps to list your communication skills before your computer skills.

While both the achievements and qualifications are important, communication skills are more in line with your career objective, and therefore should take priority. As a final test, put yourself in the shoes of your employer. Cross-check the job description and make sure that you’ve addressed the qualifications required for a specific job with the information on your resume. Let your potential employer know you have what they are looking for, and you’ll be sure to make a great first impression.