How to develop a résumé

Photo by kennkiser@yahoo.com

There are plenty of job search and résumé writing books out there.  If you don’t believe me check it out at any local library or book store.  If you need a new résumé you can read them all and get conflicting advice and information that does not apply to you.

Or, you can work with a career expert or résumé writer and pay relatively little for something that is going to be unique to your goals and your skills, abilities and achievements.

AN EXPERT CAN MAKE A BIG IMPACT ON YOUR FUTURE 

Many clients expect that a career expert or résumé writer can just whip up a résumé for them.  In actuality, it takes a lot of interaction and sometimes a good deal of research to really sell a client on paper. 

That is what a résumé should do for you:  Sell you to an employer. An employer should be able to pick up your résumé and in just a few seconds (6 to 10 seconds according to most) decide to put you in the keep pile.

From there, the employer will review your résumé further to determine if you should be added to the to be interviewed pile.  This is of course the hope of each applicant and the reason your résumé is so crucial to your job search. 

YOU CAN GET STARTED ON DEVELOPING YOUR RÉSUMÉ

There are a few things you can do on your own. Hopefully you will choose to work with an expert at some point, but even if you don't you can improve your résumé.  If you do consult an expert then he or she will better be able to help you.

How to start to develop a résumé:

1. Have a goal in mind - will you be applying for one specific type of job or several
2. Know what employers are looking for in your chosen field or industry
3. Spell out any acronyms and be able to explain jargon in plain English
4. Focus more on your skills, abilities, and achievements
5. Determine your dates of employment
6. List out all special training and education, even if you didn't get a certificate per se
7. Include any appropriate social media sites

If you do these few things it will go a long way toward enabling an expert to help you!

What is keeping you from working with an expert on your résumé?

Other articles that may be of interest:

Job Search for the Rest of Us!: Resume Examples

Feb 19, 2012

Resume Examples - http://jobsearch.about.com/b/2012/02/18/resume-examples.htm. Posted by ...Testimonials... Mary Sevinsky did an absolutely wonderful job making my resume professional and more comprehensible.

http://www.jobsearchfortherestofus.com/

Job Search for the Rest of Us!: Make Your Resume as Good as ...

Jan 27, 2012

Make Your Resume as Good as Possible - http://pulse.me/s/5ofc7. Posted by Mary ... With only one submission of my resume, I have a temporary job at Community College of Baltimore County (CCBC). The job I received is a ...

http://jobsearchfortherestofus.blogspot.com/

Job Search for the Rest of Us!: Monday Mission October 1, 2012

Oct 01, 2012

If the case is that you are overwhelmed then you will only benefit from whittling away at the mountain of job search tasks at hand. If you are fearful of sending out an imperfect resume, cover letter, or resume then it is important ...

http://www.jobsearchfortherestofus.com/

Job Search for the Rest of Us!: Luck of the Draw - Some Tips to Get ...

Sep 10, 2012

The best laid plan, a perfect match on job experience and a great resume won't matter if you are too late for the opportunity or your resume does not get seen. Let's face it, if your resume shows up the day after the job is filled it ...

http://www.jobsearchfortherestofus.com/

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Friday Follow Up October 5, 2012

Some great career related articles I shared last week:

7 Oct

The Weekly Works is out! http://bit.ly/yj8yFP 

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4 Oct

 #Job Search #Tip Take the first step http://ow.ly/edPLV  Sometimes you don't always know what to do. Sometimes... http://fb.me/2l6x2Ybwp 

Expand 

4 Oct

Sometimes you don't always know what to do. Sometimes you think you do and find out you were wrong. Whatever... http://fb.me/1xT7hMTIq 

 View photo 

3 Oct

#Job Search #Tip Don't let your fears or other obstacles keep you from moving in the direction you want to go in... http://fb.me/x5erg4F5 

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3 Oct

Use Less Than Three Steps in Your Organization Process [Organization] http://buff.ly/OzT2Q1 

 View summary 

3 Oct

Job Search for the Rest of Us!: Wednesday Wisdom September 3, 2012 http://fb.me/13cfzodvM 

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3 Oct

How to Stand Out in an Interview [Jobs] http://buff.ly/OzSYQg 

 View summary 

3 Oct

How to Address a Cover Letter http://buff.ly/R86Ihh 

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3 Oct

How to Pick Yourself Up After Hitting Rock Bottom in a Job Searchhttp://buff.ly/R86yXi 

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3 Oct

The Weekly Works is out! http://bit.ly/yj8yFP  ▸ Top stories today via@EvChambers @DValShoe @EresumeX

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2 Oct

How Old is Too Old? http://buff.ly/OzSPwb 

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2 Oct

Does Your Flaky Job History Matter to Recruiters? http://buff.ly/R86nvc 

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2 Oct

Weekly Works Top #Job stories via @sethbasker @careerealism@sacbuddika @scottdobro... http://fb.me/23hsM7ZtO 

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2 Oct

Are You a Job Hopper? http://buff.ly/U2OqE4 

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2 Oct

#Job Search #Tip: Pick one important thing you want to accomplish today. http://ow.ly/e9O8S 

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2 Oct

Weekly Works Top #Job stories via @sethbasker @careerealism@sacbuddika @scottdobro... http://fb.me/1Eh7MLHWn 

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2 Oct

Six Clever Tricks for a Better To-Do List http://buff.ly/Qk3N5E 

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2 Oct

#Job Search #Tip Do something. That’s right – move it; just do something. Many job seekers whether employed or... http://buff.ly/PGY0WS 

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2 Oct

The Weekly Works is out! http://bit.ly/yj8yFP  ▸ Top stories today via @SeanEaster @TAstaffing @crm_ag

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1 Oct

7 Effective Steps to Taking Action When You Don’t Know What to Dohttp://buff.ly/U2NCzd 

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Thursday Thought October 4, 2012

JUST TAKE THAT FIRST STEP

   

Sometimes you don't always know what to do.  Sometimes you think you do and find out you were wrong.  Whatever the case you will always find that action will be more beneficial than action if you are not sure which way to proceed.  

"Natural Sight" by digitalart

This is not to say I would recommend making that first step running at full speed over a cliff!  Give some thought and care.  Ask advice or guidance.  In the end, though you will have to choose your own path to follow or yu will choose to stand still.

IT IS UNLIKELY YOU WILL FALL OFF A CLIFF

When I was 15 my family relocated to a small, upstate New York town near my grandparents as my father retired from the Air Force.  My junior year was miserable - everyone in the school had gone to school from kindergarten up.

I wanted to quit high school.  Not knowing how, I thankfully went to the office and was thankfully referred to the guidance counselor who changed my path considerably.  

Once he understood my plan to quit school and my adolescent reasons for doing so, he arranged for me to double up some classes and attend a local community college for the remainder.  My college credits were transferred back to the high school and I received my diploma as if nothing had happened.

Following some other questionable decisions and diversions (I'll save these for another day) I went on to get my Masters of Science in Counseling Psychology and have been in a field I love (Vocational Counseling) for my entire adult life.

“This one step - choosing a goal and sticking to it - changes everything.”

Scott Reed quotes (African-American author of poetry, essays, and satiric novels, b.1938)

THERE IS USUALLY MORE THAN ONE WAY TO GET SOMEWHERE

What might have happened if I stayed in school and spent a whole, miserable two years?  Maybe I would be telling the same tale.  Maybe not.  But, I chose to make a change, take that first step, and found a path to take me where I needed to go.  You can too.

Start your journey by:

1. Thinking about how you would like your life to be
2. Assessing your strengths and weaknesses
3. Enlisting help, support, and resources
4. Sooner rather than later, start moving in a direction that makes sense
5. Periodically check the road and map ahead
6. Readjust your path as needed.

You will get there.  If not immediately, you will at least get closer.  Just take some action and make it happen for yourself.  Nobody else can do it for you!

Where do you want to go? 

Other articles that may be of interest:

Job Search for the Rest of Us!: Wednesday Wisdom October 3, 2012

16 hours ago

Sometimes your path becomes clearer as you turn a bend or cross over a hill. Get out there and do something - you won't regret it. I promise. Posted by Mary Sherwood at 3:59 PM · Email ThisBlogThis!Share to TwitterShare to ...

http://www.jobsearchfortherestofus.com/

Job Search for the Rest of Us!: Monday Mission September 10, 2012

Sep 10, 2012

You may have changed employers or jobs as other opportunities presented themselves. But in all likelihood you didn't plan your current career path. Now you can take the time to consider an plan a new path - you never know ...

http://www.jobsearchfortherestofus.com/

Job Search for the Rest of Us!: Monday Mission September 17, 2012

Sep 17, 2012

Life is about having a balance and consciously choosing the path that will give you the best future, but also the best present and past possible. No small order! You will have a better chance at living every moment to it's fullest ...

http://www.jobsearchfortherestofus.com/

Job Search Tip of the Day Review or Set your Goals

Sep 12, 2012

... attainable, and/or realistic goals. Certainly many folks just never get around to writing them down. So, if you haven't set any - let's set some! If you have, let's review and make sure that your are on the path to achieving them.

http://www.jobsearchfortherestofus.com/

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Wednesday Wisdom October 3, 2012

Don't let your fears or other obstacles keep you from moving in the direction you want to go with your life.  Even if you are not quite sure where it is you want to go, start moving!  Sometimes your path becomes clearer as you turn a bend or cross over a hill.  Get out there and do something - you won't regret it.  I promise. 

Tuesday Tip October 2, 2012

Today's job search tip: Pick one important thing you want to accomplish today.  This can be personal or career related. If the can be something you want to do or something you have been putting off. The key is that at the end of the day you are able to look reflect on your day and feel as if you have accomplished something.

IT IS IMPORTANT TO END YOUR DAY WITH A SENSE OF ACCOMPLISHMENT

Your approach can be organized by days, types of activities, or timeline- driven. Ideally, you will make a habit of identifying one important task or activity a day. This way you will always have a sense of accomplishment attention end of the day!

HOW SHOULD YOU APPROACH YOUR IMPORTANT TASK OR ACTIVITY?

You should always approach your important task with a sense of purpose - unmindful of your fear of failure or obstacles that may present themselves.  You may make a mistake, but you will learn from and fix it.  You can do it!
 
If you choose a task that you have been putting off then:

1. Tackle it at the beginning of the day
2. Take your time with it
3. Reward yourself
4. Share your success with someone else

If you choose to do something you want to do then:

1. Save it for the end of the day
2. Relish the time you spend doing it
3. Reward yourself
4. Share your experience with someone else

You will sleep better if you are able to identify at least one important thing you did today.

What will you do today?

Other articles that may be of interest:

Job Search for the Rest of Us!: Job search tip of the day: Send a ...

Aug 16, 2012

It will provide you with a brief diversion from your routine that can accomplish a number of things with one simple act: Gives you something else to think about for a change; Allows you to get out of the house and at least to the ...

http://www.jobsearchfortherestofus.com/

Job Search for the Rest of Us!: VACATION Vocations? How to Live ...

May 09, 2012

When planning goals it is most often easiest to start with the long term goal and then back up to identify each step you need to take to reach it, followed by when you could hope to accomplish each step. You may be able to ...

http://www.jobsearchfortherestofus.com/

Job Search Tip of the Day Review or Set your Goals

Sep 12, 2012

When planning goals it is most often easiest to start with the long term goal and then back up to identify each step you need to take to reach it, followed by when you could hope to accomplish each step. You may be able to .

http://www.jobsearchfortherestofus.com/

Monday Mission October 1, 2012

Do something.  That’s right – move it; just do something.  Many job seekers whether employed or unemployed allow themselves to become paralyzed.  If you are looking for work you may be overwhelmed by the sheer magnitude of the effort required.  Perhaps you are stymied by a lack of response.

Whatever the case, you will not get where you want to be through inaction. You will get where you want to be through action. It is okay to make a mistake, if this is what is holding you back. Likewise it is perfectly acceptable if you make only a small dent in your list of job search tasks.

ACTION WILL BRING YOU REACTION

If you are aching for some response to your job search efforts you must be active in your job search. There is just no way around it. If you have to force yourself, enlist others to prod you, or use an elaborate system of rewards and punishments then so be it. 

Action of some sort is better than none.  If the case is that you are overwhelmed then you will only benefit from whittling away at the mountain of job search tasks at hand.  If you are fearful of sending out an imperfect resume, cover letter, or resume then it is important to understand that if no one sees it in time to be considered then it won’t matter.

“A life spent making mistakes is not only more honorable, but more useful than a life spent doing nothing.” - George Bernard Shaw

YOU CAN DO WHAT YOU NEED TO BE SUCCESSFUL

So how can you do what you need to be successful?

1.      Have one big goal, make it yours, yearn for it.

2.    Make a list of tasks or activities that will move you closer to your goal.

3.    Break your tasks or activities down into daily doses.

4.    Act on these tasks or activities consistently and well.

That’s it…four simple steps.  I know you can do it – Go ahead!

What is holding you back from the action you need to succed?

Other articles that may be of interest:

 Job Search for the Rest of Us!: Tuesday Tip, September 18, 2012

Sep 18, 2012

Multi-tasking can reduce your effectiveness and leave you wondering what you did all day as you progress through the hours in a whirlwind of activity. Follow these tips to get the most out of each activity: Turn off the radio or ...

http://www.jobsearchfortherestofus.com/

Job Search for the Rest of Us!: Monday Mission August 20, 2012

Aug 20, 2012

You may overcompensate in the workplace, either physically or in terms of activity to "prove yourself." Don't give in to the temptation to do this. All new employees require a learning curve and no matter the position, no one ...

http://www.jobsearchfortherestofus.com/

Job Search for the Rest of Us!: Job Search tip of the day: Focus on ...

Aug 30, 2012

For many of the people I work with, activity helps them to FOCUS and to feel hopeful. First consider, what is in your control – your ACTIONS. If nothing else, you have control of this. Next, what do you want? If it is like most of the ...

http://www.jobsearchfortherestofus.com/