Professional Resume Writing Service

While most professionals hire a professional resume writer, some draft their own resume. People who write a lot for business usually have more success in putting together a sharp, focused presentation; still, anyone can learn the basic steps to prepare a resume.

There are three major differences between a “strong” resume and an “o.k.” resume:

1. FORMAT AND PRESENTATION DETERMINE WHETHER THE RESUME IS READ

The average resume is scanned, not read, for only 8-15 seconds. It either creates a strong impression to the reader immediately or it is set aside. It is similar to the impression you make on the interviewer. Therefore, make sure your resume is wearing the equivalent of a business suit and not jeans and flip-flops!

Choose a format that complements your career goal. If you are seeking a job in your field and have experience, use a chronological resume (sometimes called a reverse chronological resume). This is the preferred format by hiring managers. It resume starts with your most recent job and works backward.

A functional format is used mainly by those seeking a new line of work. This is the least favored resume layout because it groups your skills together and includes a listing of chronological work history at the end.

Since the functional resume is the least favored by employers, and the chronological resume isn’t always the best option to present your skills, consider a combination resume (sometimes called a hybrid resume). This format borrows the best aspects of the chronological and functional formats to create a layout perfect for career changers and job hoppers. It leads with accomplishments, followed by a professional experience in chronological order.

Other ways to ensure that your presentation gets noticed include:

• No errors: use spell check and also have someone review your resume for missing or misused words
• Use consistent format, capitalization, and punctuation use throughout
• Provide lots of white space to accent strong parts of the resume
• Use no more than two fonts

2. ACCOMPLISHMENTS TELL WHAT YOU’VE DONE; RESPONSIBILITIES STATE WHAT YOU WERE SUPPOSED TO HAVE DONE

Not all accomplishments have to be big, but they have to show that you got results as you carried out your responsibilities. Often, they are something you are proud of or, they can simply quantify what you have done on a daily basis. Many of your routine activities can be quantified and written as accomplishments that demonstrate your experience and knowledge, and proof of how you’ve HELPED the company!

Here are some things to consider when naming accomplishments. Quantify whenever possible. For instance, did you:

• save the company money? How much and how?
• help improve sales? By how much?
• improve productivity and efficiency?
• implement any new systems or processes?
• help launch any new products or services?
• achieve more with (same or fewer) resources?
• resolve a major problem with little investment?
• participate in any technical/operational improvements?
• exceed accepted standards for quality or quantity?
• identify the need for a program or service?
• prepare any original reports, studies or documents?
• serve on any committees? What was the outcome?
• get elected to any boards, teams or task forces?
• resolve customer problems?
• get rated as outstanding in performance reviews?

3. AVOID COMMON ERRORS IN RESUME WRITING

Many job seekers either don’t know or don’t understand the many items that do not belong in a resume. They include the following:

• Do not use “I”, “me” or “my” statements; use the telegraphic method and drop the pronoun to make it more active. Instead of “I wrote the 40-page employee manual”, say “Wrote 40-page employee manual”
• Avoid the use of the words “responsible for” and “duties included”
• Do not include personal information, such as age, health, ethnicity, marriage and family status. Employers will throw your resume out if it has such information because they could someday be accused of hiring bias
• Do not include photographs unless you are a model or actor
• Do not explain your reasons for leaving your previous jobs or employment gaps
• Don’t send extra papers such as letters of recommendation, certificates or samples of your work. They clutter your presentation and are too premature. Use in the interview if appropriate
• Never include salary information
• Do not forward a list of references

With these simple tricks, you’ll be on your way to the perfect resume in no time.