How to write a resume?

Answer 1

Put yourself in the reader's position. What would make you want to know more about this person. Remember, the resume does not get you the job, it gets you the interview. Tell them what great things you have done for previous employers, what a great person you are and let them know that you are worthy of consideration for the job - that you would be a wonderful asset to the company.

Whatever the response, reply!! If you get a letter saying thanks, we'll keep it on file, send them a letter saying thanks for the reply. If you get an interview try to remember names (even the receptionist's name), then write a follow-up letter and mention those people by name and how nice they were to you and made you feel at home. This accomplishes several things: It tells them you were paying more attention than the others they interviewed. It tells them you care more than the others because you took the time to write a follow-up letter, and it makes them pull your resume from the bottom of a growing stack, attach your letter, and throw it back on the top of the stack. Some companies respond to all letters they receive. If they respond to your follow-up letter, send another thank you letter and briefly re-state your great traits. They will pull your resume, attach your letter and place it on the top of the stack again. If they say sorry, we chose someone else, send them a letter thanking them for their consideration and telling them to keep you in mind for this position in the future because you really want to work for them. Resume on the top of the stack again. Keep responding until the day they call the police or hire you. I personally had one boss tell me that the main reason he hired me was because he wanted to get me off his back. He also said it was the best decision he could have ever made.

Keep your resume short. Usually one page, two at the most. Do not list personal stuff, like age, marital status, number of children etc. because too much can be read into this information and it's none of their business.

In the interview, RELAX. Imagine you are talking with your best friend. Be honest. Lies will be discovered. Even negative things you may reveal about yourself can be turned into positives. "I've learned a great deal from my mistakes and YOU won't have to worry about me making those mistakes again." At the end of the interview they may ask if you have any questions. Don't ask about how much vacation and sick time you will get. Do ask about the company, what its phylosophy is, who the customer is, what kind of growth is projected over the next 5 or 10 years, then ask, "When can I start?" Watch for the response. If it catches them off guard, chuckle, smile and say, "I'm excited, I would really like to work for you!" In short, be direct, aggressive, friendly, interested, inquisitive and thoughtful.

If you don't get the job, it's not your fault. Go forward and keep trying until you find the company that wants you.

One more suggestion: Turn the interview into an interview. What I mean is if you really believe in yourself, that this company cannot do any better than to hire you, then you interview them. This will tell them that you are not just looking for a paycheck, but for the right place to work and contribute according to your skills.