The do's and don'ts of resume writing

			Work Related
					By Marvin Abbott
			Abbott is a Consultant for Drake Beam Morin in Houston, Texas. More about Drake Beam Morin

A well-written resume acts like a good advertisement, enticing the reader to learn more about you through personal contact. It should include only the facts and features — the selling points — that are relevant to the reader's interests and needs.

In today's tight market, job seekers must understand the needs of potential employers and demonstrate their ability to add value to the organization.

Think of your resume as a sales document that illustrates your skills and experience. It should be written clearly and concisely, outlining the pertinent information that highlights your qualifications for the position.

To ensure your resume stands out, Drake Beam Morin recommends the following "Do's and Don'ts":

DO

• Check your spelling and grammar
• Create visual interest by using short paragraphs, bullets and white space
• Use 11 or 12 point font for text to ensure readability
• Use a slightly larger font for headings so they stand out
• Create a hierarchy of information
• Use an attractive layout and high-quality paper
• Present yourself accurately and positively
• Include a summary statement
• List your most relevant accomplishments
• Quantify your accomplishments
• Use action verbs
• Highlight responsibilities with bullets to emphasize your skills
• Include your complete employment history — or at least the last ten years
• Have someone else proofread your resume

DON'T

• Overuse highlighting techniques such as bold and italics
• Give the same weight to both a heading and a company name
• Use "I," "me," "my"or "we"
• Underline — it clutters the page
• Use long complicated sentences, jargon, or "buzz words"
• Include your desired salary
• List references or even state that they are available on request
• Bore your reader with too much information
• Make your resume more than two pages

Job seekers today should keep in mind that skill sets must be clearly represented on resumes — and also in cover letters and interviews.

When asked in a recent DBM survey, hiring managers said relevant skills are their top priority in evaluating a resume. They ranked age as the least important consideration.

DBM's survey also found that after relevant skills, hiring managers consider the following to be the four most important factors in assessing a candidate based on his or her resume: functional experience, employment history, industry experience and measurable accomplishments.

Your resume is the marketing tool that helps get you in front of potential employers. Take into consideration the organization's needs, and be sure to demonstrate your ability to fill those needs.

About Marvin Abbott and Drake Beam Morin

Marvin Abbott is a Consultant for Drake Beam Morin in Houston, Texas. Drake Beam Morin is a worldwide firm that provides strategic human resource solutions in employee selection, development, retention and transition. Drake Beam Morin works with organizations to help them manage the human resource challenges that go hand-in-hand with today's business cycles and volatile markets. Visit Drake Beam Morin.

Copyright (2001) Drake Beam Morin, Inc. Printed by permission