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Resume Development
"A picture paints a thousand words."
"A well-designed resume paints a positive and factual picture of you and sets a positive tone for the interview. It will also guide the interviewer in what to ask and will influence others who approve the hiring decision." – Author Unknown
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Ready to use our resume development services? Click Here!
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Critical resume tidbits:
The primary purpose of a resume is to obtain interviews. Your resume should only include information applicable to your objective. Your resume should include enough information to show your skills towards your objective but not so much information that you give the prospective employer answers to all of his interview questions. Your resume should entice the prospective employer to want to interview you to find out more information.
The resume data must at all times be prioritized towards the market you are targeting. Example: If you are looking for a General Management position and your education is a B.A. in philosophy, your education should be at the end of your resume and not include the non-applicable major. Example: If you are transitioning towards a new career or different product/service, minimize use of language only associated with your previous career or industry and use general business language applicable to the industry you are moving into.
Attempt to maximize your return on your investment (R.O.I.) by generalizing information so that the interviewer will want to find out more, yet specific enough (using business and market language) to illustrate your skills and aptitude in being a contributor. Take ownership of your accountabilities, skills and accomplishments. Talk about what you did vs. what your company did. After all, this resume is about you.
Your resume should paint a picture of you. Use of adjectives and action verbs, taking accountability for your knowledge and performance, interest in your occupation, confidence, activity level, work ethic, etc., will indicate balance between work and personal time, interest in your occupation and performance, confidence, activity level, work ethic, etc. The employer will then be able to see how you would fit into his/her environment.
Language: Your resume should include the language reflective of the industry/career you want. Action creates action: Use of adjectives and action verbs will activate your resume. Negatives transmit faster and further than do positives. Do not include any negative words, phrases or particulars, which may negate interest. Keep the language "simple" and reflective of your personality.
Language should flow and be consistent throughout your resume - easy to read, comprehend and focused towards the market/interviewer interests. Layout, as well should be consistent in regards to business fonts and layout presentation (highlights, bolds, etc.). Keep in mind, "you are what you wear" - that is, the appearance, content, organization, vocabulary, tone, consistency, etc., all reflect how the reader sees you. "The more you say that is irrelevant, the less the relevant becomes". Make your resume crisp, focused, concise and presentable, enticing attention and interest.
"What you see is what you get."
We have intentionally not included the basics of resume development (such as including only relevant personal information, white paper vs coloured (tone/image), including references and salaries, etc.) as they may be found in every career development article. Our focus is on the more subtle aspects of resume development and readership. It is important, however, to acknowledge what type of resume would be best for you in obtaining the highest results you want (functional, chronological or combination). Each have their respective merits and detriments but are definitely advantageous in appreciation of your employment status and history in maximizing your return.
One important fact to acknowledge is that almost all employers are primarily interested in their bottom-line – profits, so by you illustrating how you can achieve profits through cost savings, revenue development, efficiency and/or process improvement, you will increase your ability to catch the attention of the prospective employer. Keeping in mind that "a picture paints a thousand words", numerical appreciation of your accomplishments will have more "visibility" than non-numerical. Example: Would you prefer to interview someone who increased sales or the candidate who increased sales by 20%.
Now to the task of resume development.
Look at resume development as a challenge, not as a task. It is an opportunity for you to acknowledge what you have accomplished in the past, your personality and communication skills, transferable skills, and the employment market needs.
Your resume should reflect you.
Put your business personality into your resume. Paint the picture you want your future employer to appreciate and, be able to support that picture both in the interview and on the job. If your resume is developed by a third party, ensure that the writer sees through your eyes by providing you with a thorough interview personality/behaviour analysis; and has an understanding of the "technical" particulars, and an appreciation of the "art" of resume development and market needs.
Enjoy the resume development process - make your list of position accountabilities and functions, accomplishments and career developments. Ensure to prioritize according to market/profession priorities, and develop action statements indicating your pride in who you are and the value you offer to a potential employer.
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Ready to Use our Resume Development Services?
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Scott & Associates offers resume development services. This service includes full resume development from interviewing, personality/behaviour analysis, confirmation of technical details, resume writing, resume on disc, and hard-copy resume masters. A value-added service includes presentation skills development and market penetration techniques. The fee for this service is $250.00. Updates are expensed at $50.00 per update (resume must be in disc form or email).
Resume evaluation including minor redevelopment can be obtained at a fee of $75.00. Updates are expensed at $50.00 per update (resume must be in disc form or email).
Scott and Associates offers complete programs in Career Counseling. Service fees may be obtained through contacting our offices or use our on-line form.
Our Career Development site is in the process of developing and will include future career transition/development antidotes beneficial to today's business professional. We invite you to write to us with any antidotes you may feel relevant to others in the career development process.
E-Mail: drscott@scottassociates.net
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