Crafting an Eye-Catching Resume

Looking for a new job or wanting to change jobs? Here are some tips for preparing a resume that will get you noticed:

1. Use a heading that includes your name (typed in bold and capitals), address, phone number (where you can be reached easily), and a professional-sounding email address
2. Use a current style--check one of the many resume books or find a sample online.
3. Tailor your resume to the position for which you are applying. Rewrite it each time so your relevant qualifications for a specific position stand out. For instance, use the keywords in the job description.
4. Use a qualifications summary to highlight your strengths. Point out specific knowledge and skills.
5. Turn your job duties into specific accomplishments. Focus on three to five major points. Use specific examples.
6. Where possible, quantify these accomplishments with measurable results. For example, state that you increased sales by 40% or that you worked with a $1.25 million budget.
7. Use action verbs and keep sentences short and relevant to the position for which you are applying.
8. List your career history in chronological order from most recent backwards. Limit the number of jobs and limit them to the past 25 years.
9. Keep the resume to one or two pages.
10. If you are uploading a resume to a company’s website, be sure to eliminate bullets, underlining, italics, and unusual formatting.