Writing Effective Resumes

"I am talented, give me a job where I can grow."  But its not about you.

I critique quite a few graduating senior college resumes. The major problem I see in most is leading with the “self”, rather than leading with benefit to the employer.  So, in your Job Objective, start with (a) what you will do for the company first, then (b) how you will accomplish it. 

For example, instead of:

“ I am seeking a product sales position with a company that can take advantage of my broad-based business education and diverse skills.”

Write something like:

"Seeking a sales position where I can significantly increase sales productivity and revenue for the company utilizing my broad-based business education and diverse skills.”  

     

In Job History, once again start with (a) benefit to company followed by (b) what you did.  And numbers significantly help strengthen  the “benefit” statement.  It should be about the benefit to the company, not about you.  Most resumes are written exactly backwards. 

For example, instead of:

“Armed with my knowledge of surveys and focus groups, ran online surveys, did extensive market research on effectiveness of company advertising.  Results were used to modify advertising strategy.”

Write something like:

“Advertising effectiveness increased 35%.  Increase a result of recommendations drawn from online surveys and market research on effectiveness of company advertising.”

Or instead of:

“I used my quantitative and excellent analytical skills to provide cost estimates in response to work order requests.  I conducted on-line and data base searches for new business potential.”

Write something like:    

"Increased sell-through by 50% of products new bid projects. Identified fifteen to twenty qualified sales opportunities per month through on-line and data base searches for new business."

It’s always good to demonstrate first real value, quantitatively if possible, to the company followed by what you did.