If you do not have this, it is next to impossible to put together a winning resume. It is called FOCUS. Before even beginning to write, it is vital to know what job you would like to have.
Often, people want to keep their resumes general so that they can be considered for a variety of jobs. This may make sense in theory, but it rarely works. Hiring managers come across so many resumes, that the last thing they want to do is try and figure out where to place someone.
There is a saying that "when you fit everything, you fit nothing." This does not mean that you are locked into applying for only one type of position. As long as the jobs you want are in the same industry, the same resume can be used with minor, if any, changes.
However, if you are seeking jobs in very different industries, you may need to think about having multiple resumes. Of course, some things will stay the same: your education, past jobs, and the years you were there. The most important parts, the summary and your accomplishments, will need to be changed.
For example, let us say that you are interested in two jobs: one as an accountant and one as an accounting supervisor. Both are in the same industry, so much of the jargon will stay the same. However, for the supervisory position, you will want to highlight your leadership skills, whereas they are not nearly as important for the accounting job. This could mean putting any supervisory duties near the top of each section, including them in your summary, or mentioning relevant classes that you have taken in management.
Now let us say that you are interested in two very different jobs: you would like to be a kindergarten teacher, but you are also applying for a job as an office manager at an advertising agency. Though this will be your first teaching job, you will want every bit of experience with children on the resume. List this experience under education, volunteer work, and any relevant classes that you may have taken in college. For your office manager resume, all of this can be left off. As far as they are concerned, you have no experience with children, because it does not apply to a position in their office.
It takes some extra work, but the payoff is worth it. The more focused your resume is, the less likely that it will end up in the slush pile. The added bonus to narrowing your focus is that you are much more likely to end up with a job that you will be happy in!
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Article added to SearchWarp.com on Saturday, September 20, 2008 View other articles written by Charlotte Weeks(60)
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