A Winning Résumé
Remember, it is a competitive market, your résumé is usually the first point of contact between you and a prospective employer..... it is a sales tool. Here are some pointers to help create the winning résumé.
Preparing a Résumé - Accountant
Preparing a Résumé - Secretary
Preparing a Résumé - Technology
Length
It is unlikely that you will need more than 3 or 4 pages to effectively sell your skills, education and experience. Any longer and the employer may lose interest! Keep the résumé to the point, sharp and succinct.
Content
Use bullet points rather than lengthy paragraphs. Use action-orientated words and phrases.
Presentation
The résumé is a professional document and should therefore reflect this. It should be professionally printed and easily readable. Unless you are applying for a 'creative/arty' position, there is no need to spend a fortune on colours, fancy binders etc. It is the content that the employer is looking at.
Cover Letter
Tailor the cover letter to suit the role you are applying for, highlighting why they need to consider your application. Once again, short (1 page would usually suffice), precise and to the point.
- Name
- Date of Birth
- Marital Status
- Nationality
- Address
- Phone Details
- Email Address
- Name of High School and Qualifications gained, date
- Name of University and Qualifications gained, date
- Currently studying details (with anticipated completion date)
- Professional Qualifications: If relevant add these here
- Language skills
- Information Technology Skills
- Leisure interests (may strike a note of familiarity with the interviewer)
- Date started to date finished
- Company name, Location
- Company Description: (Size of company, is it national/international, privately/publicly owned, what the company does)
- Your title, reporting to...
- List 6-10 of your main responsibilities
- List 2-3 of your main achievements for each role
- This helps to determine why you have changed roles