by LaPora Lindsey
First impressions are everything when you’re looking for a job. And your resume is one of the first impressions that many people will have of you. If your resume doesn’t grab them and convince them you’re the right person for the job, they’ll move on to the next candidate. The best way to make a great first impression is to craft an attention-grabbing resume that highlights all of your strengths and key accomplishments. To do this, answer these three questions when writing your resume!
Before you even sit down to write your resume, your first question to ask is:
What are the qualifications for this job? Do I meet the qualifications for this job? (These are two questions, but I count them as one.)
Review the job posting closely to see the requirements. Do you meet the “Minimum Qualifications” or “Preferred qualifications?” Meeting the qualifications will help you to understand if you have the potential to get an interview. If you cannot meet the qualifications, it may be time to move on to a different job posting.
When it comes to checking the box for qualifications, Minimum Qualifications= Required and Preferred=Icing on the cake. But don’t count yourself out if you don’t meet the preferred qualifications. You can still apply and land the interview. No job is out of reach if you demonstrate your capabilities and star employee potential.
Once you start writing your resume, here are two more questions to ask:
For each job that you list ask yourself, “How did I go above and beyond at this job?”
Listing only your duties at each job can quickly turn into a history of job descriptions, instead of a resume. Be specific about how you went above and beyond. If you, “Answered the phones and greeted customers,” great! But how is “Answering the phones and greeting customers” unique to you and not something the reader would find in a job description.
Go into relevant detail. Answering additional questions such as, “How many customers did I greet?” “What programs/ software did I use?” Your answers will help to bring a uniqueness to your resume.
The next question to ask is, “What job related task did I complete with this role?”
For each job you list on your resume, only talk about relevant tasks. The reader doesn’t need to know every detail about your current job or last job. The reader only needs to see the information that is relevant to them. If you are applying for a job in IT, only list IT-related tasks. If you are applying for a career in Instructional Design, concentrate on tasks specific to Instructional Design.
If you had a job primarily in administration, “What skills did you use ot tasks did you complete that are relevant to IT or Instructional Design?” Answering this question will keep you resume relevant and filled with information that the reader will find as essential to the positions you are applying for.
It takes time, persistence, and patience to get the job you want. But a focused, targeted resume will get you there a lot quicker than an unfocused one. Don’t give up just because you’re not getting the job. Take a moment to step back ask yourself some questions and then give it another go. You got this.
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Check my out my article 2 Ways Sharing Makes You A Better Candidate to learn more about strategies to implement before your write your resume.
If you have additional questions I offer Career Coaching and Resume assistance. Schedule some time for a free startegy call so that you can get on the road to obtainign that job or starting that career!
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