Creating a Resume - 3 Excellent Starting Points ANYONE Can Use

Creating a Resume - 3 Excellent Starting Points ANYONE Can Use

When it comes to creating a resume, many people want the "magic bullet," or THE number one tip for creating a resume. But here is the truth that sometimes frustrates them: There is NO single best step or best tip when it comes to resume writing.

But that's ok! Because now that we've got that out of the way, everyone can relax and stop worrying about finding a magic bullet that does not exist.

And the reason why there could not possibly be a single best tip for creating a resume is - actually, there are several reasons - because:
Everyone has such different needs, skills, and targets that an approach to resume development that might work for one person might be completely ineffective for another (e.g. creating a resume for a dentist versus creating a resume for a college professor), and The nature of jobs and/or geographic or regional locations can be vastly different from one another thus necessitating completely different approaches to creating a resume (e.g. creating a resume for a financial executive targeting a Wall Street atmosphere versus creating a resume for a financial executive targeting a small town atmosphere).

There are certainly other factors that play into the nuances of resume development.

But, having said this, there ARE a few steps that WILL be effective for everyone - regardless of how it finally all pulls together for each individual resume. The following three tips for writing a resume can be used by anyone in any field. Remember - these are starting points.

(Little Note: Other points, such as "list your last jobs..." or "list your education..." go without saying. Also, there are other articles and resources that are available to take you forward after you complete these initial steps. Ok? Then let's move forward!)

Tip #1: Regardless of who you are, you must decide on the precise position you are going for - and where.

For example: "I am targeting the position of Assistant Manager for Joe's Food Market." Or: "I am targeting the position of Director of Human Resources for Acme Manufacturing."

These types of statements are far more precise than "Management Position," or "Human Resources Position." They are also more powerful, and if you come across - right from the get-go - as someone who knows exactly what he or she is looking for, you'll be more likely to grab the hiring director's attention.

Also, once you know exactly what it is you are shooting for, it will be easier to determine what is needed on the job, and how you can fill that need.

Tip #2: It's not time to jump into creating a resume just yet! Now that you know the job you really want, you must conduct research. Learn everything you can about the target company and what is really required of the job. I really cannot stress that enough.

Sometimes you will be privy to a job description BEFORE you apply. If that's the case, that job description will be a true treasure chest of information for you - because now you can address each point, note the language and terminology used by the company, and tailor your resume to match those points. Wow! That's truly a resume development gift!

But, alas, you won't always have the luxury of seeing a job description. And even if you do, you don't want to stop there! So, talk to anyone you can find in the industry or company and learn everything you can about them. What's their mission statement? Their goals? Is their mission and/or goals in line with yours (Translate: Do you feel that the company would be a good match for you? And vice versa?) Can you find articles about the company?

Thanks to the internet, researching a company is a lot easier than it used to be! And when you begin creating a resume, the information you gather will help you accomplish a number of things:
You'll know what their needs really are. You'll get a feel for the personality of the company and whether or not it suits yours. You'll learn certain "keywords" or buzzwords that they prefer. You'll also get a "gut feeling" if you are the one for the job.

Tip #3: Once you have done your "company discovery" it is time to list what you've learned that they need: skill by skill, and need by need. Next to, or just under each point, you can now fill in a few skills, accomplishments, or other ideas that you have that match each of these.

For example, if you have discovered that the company needs someone who works well when faced with strict deadlines, sift through your own "catalog" of experience and jot down the times when you successfully faced the stress of meeting deadlines. Recall the situation, and note what you accomplished. Note what skills you used in meeting those deadlines. Use some of the company's language (the keywords or buzzwords that they use - but don't force or overdo it.)

This is information that you will be able to use when you finally get to the point of creating a resume. Again, these three tips can be used by anyone. They are starting points. But once you have completed these initial steps, you will find that the process of creating a resume will flow far more easily than simply slapping together a sheet of paper with your employment history listed!

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