Straight Talk
Résumé Tips For The Jobseeker
By Eileen Chalmin

Few words strike terror in the heart like the word: résumé. Well, perhaps, job, but that’s for another article. So, let’s continue. Résumé: six letters that represent a summation of your life, abilities, and desires. Preparing a résumé is difficult enough when you have years of substantial experience in your chosen field. When there’s no experience and no field, nothing to entice the would-be employer, yes, panic seems to be your only option.
Well, don’t panic—I’m here to help you, give you advice, and hold your hand. Just remember—keep your résumé focused, simple, and truthful. Starting your résumé is the most difficult part of the job. Begin with your name and contact information, including address, E-mail, and cell telephone number. The interviewer has to be able to reach you. If your E-mail address is just “too cute,” think about making it more professional. The same goes for the message on your telephone answering machine. Remember, even before you get an interview with a future employer, impressions are definitely being made.
Next it is critical to identify a goal or direction you hope to pursue. Prepare several résumés, each with a specific direction, so that at least to the “outside” world, you seem focused and centered.
In today’s world, even the most technologically challenged individual can change his or her résumé to reflect different interests, experiences, and goals. If you’re like me, you can find friends or family who can help you — so no excuses!
Next, make a list (one for each version of your résumé) of your strengths and experiences. Leave off the weaknesses, only you need to understand those. Look at posted job descriptions for the ideal jobs in your chosen field and borrow some of the language that reflects your own skills to use in your résumé.
When an interviewer says “tell me about yourself?” stick to your experience, abilities and do not relax and talk about personal challenges or experiences. Leave it off the resume and out of the interview room. One thing to remember, prospective employers are not interested in your life story—they look for a future employee who has innate and learned skills that will match their needs and corporate culture.

Keep It Simple,
Keep It Truthful
I know, the temptation to stretch the truth is strong, but stretch doesn’t mean lie. Remember, you want to get an interview, but once there, you have to support whatever you say on your résumé with real experience and truths. Think of your résumé as a ticket to see a show, but once in the theater you are the main attraction so, don’t misrepresent who and what you are.
You will find numerous résumé templates and examples on the Internet or in self-help books. Choosing a style is often as challenging as what to put in your résumé. I suggest, especially if you are just finishing school or inexperienced professionally, to select a skills-oriented résumé. You are able to summarize experiences, whether paid, classroom projects, or volunteer jobs, to show your skills and then support that experience under a separate heading identifying where you acquired those skills.
Keep the information clear and concise. Don’t pad your résumé with unnecessary information and subjective words such as “loyal” and “trustworthy.” These are capabilities you will prove later— they mean nothing before the fact. The time to expand upon your abilities and knowledge is in the actual interview. Your job in completing your résumé is to “tickle” the interest of your reader and get the call to come in for an interview.
I hope you’re feeling better about approaching the writing of your résumé. Remember, no two people are alike therefore; no two résumés are alike either. Keep personal information off your résumé. If you have a disability, but are able to do the job for which you apply (you should have done all this soul searching long before you have reached this point), there is no reason to raise red flags and ruin your chance for an interview.
As always, I’ll remind you to be certain you can perform the mental and physical tasks of your desired career and are be prepared to make the necessary accommodations to work competitively, but, I’ll save this lecture too for another time.
If you are thoughtful, focused, and truthful, you will be just fine. Go for it, don’t panic, and, of course, the best of luck. Let me know how you do. I always enjoy hearing your stories.

 

 

NEXT