Does Your Résumé Present You As Trivial Or Important? Résumé Writing Tips.

Do you realize you are selling with your résumé?

When people sell, they talk about features that the product has (air conditioning in a car, for instance) AND the benefits that feature brings to the buyer (keeps you cool on a hot day). Read on for some résumé writing tips.

Frequently, unskilled sales people will name a number of features, but not connect them, in words, to the benefits that they will bring to the prospective buyer. In writing, if we want to sell our skills to a prospective employer, simply mentioning the features (what we do/have done) will not be sufficient. We need to show the future employer how these skills will benefit her/him AND the organization!

Remember that anything that you announce in your résumé must be elevated from trivial. Otherwise, you will inadvertently tell the reader that you are unimportant.

Awful (trivial):

• Made photocopies of safety signs and posted them throughout the work space.

Much better (important):

• Disseminated OSHA-compliant information, creating general awareness of safety policies and procedures and reducing the risk of workplace injury.

This is the most important of our résumé writing tips to help with your job search. Start by looking at one of the bulleted lists. Does it simply state that you did/do something, and that’s all? “Clean it up,” and make it results-oriented! Show how the organization benefited from your work.

Learn about the job and the company that you plan to apply to and make sure to put emphasis on your skills that are relevant for that position. Highlight any work experience that will benefit you within their organization.

Be aware that employers may choose to ask interview questions based on your resume, so be truthful and do not embellish your qualifications and are prepared to demonstrate or elaborate on your listed skills.

One final tip – we all make mistakes – proof read it well, and have someone else read it over too. Make sure it reads well with no grammatical errors.

If you need more help with your résumé, contact Improving Communications.

This information is from the Effective Business Writing class. If you’re looking for ways to improve your communication skills, register for one of our public classes, or bring Improving Communications training to your place of business for onsite sessions. Click here for more information.

Other Resources for Resume Writing Tips:

3 Ways To Sell Yourself In Your Resume

14 Tips for Writing a Rockstar Resume

43 Resume Tips That Will Help Get You Hired