Resume Writing – Showcasing Your Impact

Before you start resume writing you need to UNDERSTAND the purpose of your resume and cover letter – to get an interview!

Preparing for Resume Writing

The best way to prepare for writing a resume is to gather all relevant information about your professional background, skills, and accomplishments. Help yourself by completing a resume writing data sheet – use it to help you think more about your work and other activities. (See below for a detailed data sheet list.)

Make sure to define your three best work skills or traits for use in your Summary and Cover Letter.

Writing with Impact!

Use correct grammar (parallel structure, active vs. passive voice) and pay attention to your word choice (especially with transferable skills.) Spelling and grammar mistakes can look unprofessional and make an employer think poorly of you as the applicant.

When resume writing about work experience focus on accomplishments instead of only listing the tasks and the job description. Talk about your own achievements to make it more effective.

It’s all about RESULTS! Which of these lists focuses on transactions, and which one focuses on RESULTS?

The 2nd list is much more achievement oriented. You want your resume to highlight your specific achievements, outcomes, and contributions, showcasing impact on customer satisfaction, issue resolution, and team development. This approach provides concrete evidence of a candidate’s skills and abilities, setting them apart from a generic job responsibilities-focused resume.

Some Facts About Cover Letters

• ONE PAGE only.
• UB4me Language – speak to recipient’s interests.
• Match their needs and your skills.
• Demonstrate expertise – knowledge of the organization and your field.
• Clear – short, readable sentences and paragraphs.
• Use action verbs and active voice.
• Qualities: confident, optimistic, enthusiastic, professional.
• Get to the point – people have short attention spans.
• Stories and/or humor are OK.
• Mention referrer or mutual contacts.
• Send PAPER.

When writing your resume make sure to highlight specific achievements, outcomes, and contributions. It is all about showcasing your impact in previous positions. When you provides concrete evidence of your skills and abilities, you will be setting yourself apart from other generic job responsibilities-focused resume. The interviews will come.