How to Create an Effective and Original Objective Statement for CV
A career objective statement is the part of your resume that puts forward your career goals. This thing may sound very simple when you know that all you need is a good job in which you can make use of you education, experience, talent and get a good salary. But, when you come to think of it, this may be the most challenging part of your resume. You will have to stuff in the details like your professional skills, what you expect from the company and the job, your goals etc. Now it doesn't look that simple, right?
Stating Your Objective
Catch the reader’s attention by stating how you can benefit the company. An Objective statement is one or two sentences that clearly identifies the job title or career field you are seeking and describes the industry or type of company you would prefer. A well-written Objective statement demonstrates why you are qualified for the position and explains how an employer would benefit from hiring you. This statement should be concise, focused and compelling.
When preparing your resume, write your objective statement first. This will help you focus your efforts on writing the remainder of your resume in a way that demonstrates why you are qualified for the position. It will also help potential employers match your skills and abilities with the right job opening. Your Objective statement also helps a company decide who should see your resume and where it should be filed if no immediate position is available.
Insider Tip: If you are applying for a specific position at a specific company, use the same (or similar) job title as it appears in the job advertisement. If you are applying for a variety of positions, use your Objective statement to target a specific industry or describe a more general career category.
When to Use an Objective
If you are an experienced professional, consider using a Summary statement instead of an Objective statement (see “Should I use a Summary instead of an Objective” under Questions and Answers on using an Objective Statement in a Resume). However, if you can clearly define the position you are seeking, then an Objective statement is recommended.
Advantages to Using an Objective:
· Assures the reader that you are focused in a particular career field.
· Allows hiring managers to match your resume with appropriate jobs quickly.
· Helps focus your resume to support your qualifications for a specific career.
Disadvantages to Using an Objective:
· Prevents you from being considered for other positions you may be qualified for.
· Requires you to spend more time developing a resume that targets each career field.
· A broadly-stated Objective becomes meaningless and makes you seem unfocused.
How to Write an Objective Statement
When writing your Objective statement, consider how much you want to tailor or customize your resume to match the requirements of the position, as well as how widely you will need to distribute your resume. If you are applying for a targeted position that has been advertised or posted, then write your Objective to include the exact job title and ensure that your preferred type of company or industry matches the description of the company to which you are applying.
If you are applying for the same or similar position but targeting a large number of different companies and industries, you may want to use a more general Objective that describes the career field you are seeking and communicates your relevant skills, abilities and experience. Many companies have slightly different names for a particular job title so, when listing your preferred career, consider using several different job titles or use a broader career field term such as “Marketing Management.”
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Avoid obvious or meaningless statements such as “A challenging and rewarding position…” or “A position offering the opportunity for advancement.” Employers assume you would prefer a challenging and rewarding position.
Avoid self-serving statements such as “A position that will grow my skills and experience…” Employers would much rather understand why you are qualified for the position than what you are expecting of them.
Avoid using “entry-level position” in your Objective, even though you are just beginning your career. This statement may preclude you from being considered for a more advanced position you might otherwise be qualified to manage.
OBJECTIVE
Biological Research Assistant utilizing my science background and laboratory experience.
CAREER OBJECTIVE
Assistant Webmaster position at a major television station, utilizing my Communications major, network television internship experience, and extensive computer skills.
CAREER GOALS
Marketing role using my creative energy and passionate approach to drive success in both large and small organizations.
POSITION DESIRED
Retail Management/Supervisor position that makes full use of my proven ability to manage departments, increase customer satisfaction and develop hourly employees.
PROFESSIONAL INTEREST
Financial Management position in the non-profit sector utilizing proven skills as a financial manager, organization builder and problem solver.
Related Articles:
1. When to Use an Objective Statement and when to use a Summary Statement in a Resume
2. Alternative to an Objective Statement – Job Target
________________________________________________________________________
Here are samples you may consider to include/personalize in your resume:
1. “To obtain a significant and challenging position as a financial analyst advisor wherein I will learn and excel in finance operation processes. A job that provides me a scope for growth in the finance vertical.”
2. “To grow in a progressive organization as a project manager where the blend of my 5 years experience and enhanced educational skills can help in achieving the goals of the company. I would like to exploit my potential and sense of obligation for the benefit of the organization.
3. “Mission statement: To make the most of my potential and discover new horizons in the field of acting. To utilize my perfect blend of 10 years active experience and creativity, those enable me to perform in the best possible way for many years.
4. “Personal mission statement: To excel in my work area and to add value to the present education system. My dedication, management skills and coaching expertise in the CYZ field can be utilized in this direction for being one of the top performers of the organization.”
5. “Equipped with 7 years + experience in media communications, I am seeking a challenging position in an Entertainment channel”.
6. “Career mission objective: Seeking a position in Sales and Marketing wherein I can utilize my communication skills and my Master of Business Administration degree to build a strong distribution network for achieving a higher market penetration level.”
7. “An engineering graduate seeking an entry level position in Electrical Engineering.”
8. “Sales Manager with 10 years of B2B (Business to Business) sales experience with a consistent track record of increasing the profitability between 12-17% annually.”
9. “To secure a Corporate Business Development position wherein I can leverage customer relationship building skills combined with five years of sales experience in consumer goods market.”
10. “Seasoned Front Office Clerk with four years on experience in hospitality industry with a consistent track record of acquiring annual ‘Best Employee’ award.”
11. “Recent graduate seeking an internship at a Public Relations organization for utilizing Multimedia and Social Networking skills.”
Though, it is imperative to write a well constructed career statement but it is not necessary to limit yourself to a ‘One Size Fits all’ statement.
You can and should customize a mission statement as per the job profile you wish to apply for. Depending upon the skills sets required for a specific job profile, you can tailor the mission statement accordingly.
Bottom line: Including a career statement into your resume is a decision to consider because many employers expect to see this statement on an applicant’s resume.
________________________________________________________________________
The purpose of your resume is to ignite interest in you and compel hiring decision makers reading it to interview you.
When crafting your resume, write for the reader. These days so many of them are reviewing resumes on their Blackberries, usually in transit.
They may be inundated with hundreds of resumes to assess for any given position and very little time to devote to each candidate.
The first thing that pops up on that tiny screen should brand you, have the power to immediately capture their attention, and differentiate you from the competition.
Don’t lead your resume with an objective statement. They don’t care what you want. They care what you will do to positively impact bottom line and just how you’ll go about doing it.
Here’s a before-and-after example of an executive resume lead-in:
BEFORE:
Objective: A challenging senior management position in product development where my proven record of success will benefit a progressive company.
AFTER:
Senior Product Development and Operations Executive
Striking success leading product development, IT operations, and professional services for very small start-ups, rapid-growth enterprises, and leading global corporations. Increased Quality Assurance productivity 300% and revenue growth 30% in one year.
Leadership Brand – An instigator of innovation with unwavering determination to bring products to market, I contribute selfless and ethical leadership, influence change, build great talent, plan diligently, monetize opportunities, and execute relentlessly. I will literally do ‘whatever it takes’ to get the job done.
Which one attracts you to the candidate more?
The top third or so of the first page of your resume is prime real estate — the make-or-break snapshot of you. Don’t waste that valuable location on fluff. If your resume doesn’t get to the meat until further down on the page, you may have already lost the reader.
Create chemistry and draw them in at the get-go with hard-hitting, to-the-point, brand-focused statements that illuminate your promise of value to your next employer, and give some indication of your vitality and personality.
_______________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
So here let us have a detailed look on the essentials of crafting a career objective statement. It is a common notion that a career objective statement is not an essential part of the resume as it is something that states the obvious- getting the job. This can bring a hard blow on you. A career objective statement is one of the most important thing an employer looks first as it gives him a fair idea what you expect from the job and he will be able to conclude whether you can fit into the company or not.
Now, the next usual mistake is jotting down a career objective statement that in no way expresses your professional skills and career goals properly. For instance, see the following career objective statement.
"To obtain a post where I can use my experience and education and learn further."
This 'so called' career objective statement gives not even the faint idea about you career objective. Hence it would be best to get rid of such statements from your resume. Such career objective statements are surely going to hinder you in your job hunt as your employer will get an impression that you don't have a proper career goal.
Let us go through tips that will help you come up with a catchy career objective statement which will give a different, elegant touch to your whole resume.
To start with, make the objective statement personal. Always, keep in mind that your career objective statement is the strong point of your resume. You aim should be to let your employer know what you actually want. The next thing that you have to take care of is that your career objective statement should clearly shout out your commitment towards your goal. If you are not sure of what you really want finally, how will you be ever able to convince you employer about it.
The thirst important thing would be to state that you will be ready word as hard as you can to achieve your goal. Just state what will be your action plan in order to reach your goal. The last but one of the most important part of the career objective statement will be to specify what you are expecting from the job as well as the company. Take the following sentence for example,
"I am looking for challenging environment to work in."
Well, this statement doesn't give you employer any idea about what your career goal actually is. Every one has his/her own definition of the word challenging. Just give a sentence stating what you actually expect and what you are ready to do to achieve it.
Now that we have gone through tips to create a good career objective statement, let us try to come up with one.
"To obtain the position of a content writer in a leading telecom industry, where I will be able to utilize my language skills for the betterment of the company and performance- based advancement."
This is the kind of career objective statement that you should have in your resume. This gives the employer a fair idea about what is the nature of the job that you require, what skill you posses in order to get this job and what will you do to be achieve your goal.
So, be happy, you have just learned how to create a wonderful career objective statement. All the best for your job hunt guys and gals
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Stating Your Objective
Catch the reader’s attention by stating how you can benefit the company. An Objective statement is one or two sentences that clearly identifies the job title or career field you are seeking and describes the industry or type of company you would prefer. A well-written Objective statement demonstrates why you are qualified for the position and explains how an employer would benefit from hiring you. This statement should be concise, focused and compelling.
When preparing your resume, write your objective statement first. This will help you focus your efforts on writing the remainder of your resume in a way that demonstrates why you are qualified for the position. It will also help potential employers match your skills and abilities with the right job opening. Your Objective statement also helps a company decide who should see your resume and where it should be filed if no immediate position is available.
Insider Tip: If you are applying for a specific position at a specific company, use the same (or similar) job title as it appears in the job advertisement. If you are applying for a variety of positions, use your Objective statement to target a specific industry or describe a more general career category.
When to Use an Objective
If you are an experienced professional, consider using a Summary statement instead of an Objective statement (see “Should I use a Summary instead of an Objective” under Questions and Answers on using an Objective Statement in a Resume). However, if you can clearly define the position you are seeking, then an Objective statement is recommended.
Advantages to Using an Objective:
· Assures the reader that you are focused in a particular career field.
· Allows hiring managers to match your resume with appropriate jobs quickly.
· Helps focus your resume to support your qualifications for a specific career.
Disadvantages to Using an Objective:
· Prevents you from being considered for other positions you may be qualified for.
· Requires you to spend more time developing a resume that targets each career field.
· A broadly-stated Objective becomes meaningless and makes you seem unfocused.
How to Write an Objective Statement
When writing your Objective statement, consider how much you want to tailor or customize your resume to match the requirements of the position, as well as how widely you will need to distribute your resume. If you are applying for a targeted position that has been advertised or posted, then write your Objective to include the exact job title and ensure that your preferred type of company or industry matches the description of the company to which you are applying.
If you are applying for the same or similar position but targeting a large number of different companies and industries, you may want to use a more general Objective that describes the career field you are seeking and communicates your relevant skills, abilities and experience. Many companies have slightly different names for a particular job title so, when listing your preferred career, consider using several different job titles or use a broader career field term such as “Marketing Management.”
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Avoid obvious or meaningless statements such as “A challenging and rewarding position…” or “A position offering the opportunity for advancement.” Employers assume you would prefer a challenging and rewarding position.
Avoid self-serving statements such as “A position that will grow my skills and experience…” Employers would much rather understand why you are qualified for the position than what you are expecting of them.
Avoid using “entry-level position” in your Objective, even though you are just beginning your career. This statement may preclude you from being considered for a more advanced position you might otherwise be qualified to manage.
OBJECTIVE
Biological Research Assistant utilizing my science background and laboratory experience.
CAREER OBJECTIVE
Assistant Webmaster position at a major television station, utilizing my Communications major, network television internship experience, and extensive computer skills.
CAREER GOALS
Marketing role using my creative energy and passionate approach to drive success in both large and small organizations.
POSITION DESIRED
Retail Management/Supervisor position that makes full use of my proven ability to manage departments, increase customer satisfaction and develop hourly employees.
PROFESSIONAL INTEREST
Financial Management position in the non-profit sector utilizing proven skills as a financial manager, organization builder and problem solver.
Related Articles:
1. When to Use an Objective Statement and when to use a Summary Statement in a Resume
2. Alternative to an Objective Statement – Job Target
________________________________________________________________________
Here are samples you may consider to include/personalize in your resume:
1. “To obtain a significant and challenging position as a financial analyst advisor wherein I will learn and excel in finance operation processes. A job that provides me a scope for growth in the finance vertical.”
2. “To grow in a progressive organization as a project manager where the blend of my 5 years experience and enhanced educational skills can help in achieving the goals of the company. I would like to exploit my potential and sense of obligation for the benefit of the organization.
3. “Mission statement: To make the most of my potential and discover new horizons in the field of acting. To utilize my perfect blend of 10 years active experience and creativity, those enable me to perform in the best possible way for many years.
4. “Personal mission statement: To excel in my work area and to add value to the present education system. My dedication, management skills and coaching expertise in the CYZ field can be utilized in this direction for being one of the top performers of the organization.”
5. “Equipped with 7 years + experience in media communications, I am seeking a challenging position in an Entertainment channel”.
6. “Career mission objective: Seeking a position in Sales and Marketing wherein I can utilize my communication skills and my Master of Business Administration degree to build a strong distribution network for achieving a higher market penetration level.”
7. “An engineering graduate seeking an entry level position in Electrical Engineering.”
8. “Sales Manager with 10 years of B2B (Business to Business) sales experience with a consistent track record of increasing the profitability between 12-17% annually.”
9. “To secure a Corporate Business Development position wherein I can leverage customer relationship building skills combined with five years of sales experience in consumer goods market.”
10. “Seasoned Front Office Clerk with four years on experience in hospitality industry with a consistent track record of acquiring annual ‘Best Employee’ award.”
11. “Recent graduate seeking an internship at a Public Relations organization for utilizing Multimedia and Social Networking skills.”
Though, it is imperative to write a well constructed career statement but it is not necessary to limit yourself to a ‘One Size Fits all’ statement.
You can and should customize a mission statement as per the job profile you wish to apply for. Depending upon the skills sets required for a specific job profile, you can tailor the mission statement accordingly.
Bottom line: Including a career statement into your resume is a decision to consider because many employers expect to see this statement on an applicant’s resume.
________________________________________________________________________
The purpose of your resume is to ignite interest in you and compel hiring decision makers reading it to interview you.
When crafting your resume, write for the reader. These days so many of them are reviewing resumes on their Blackberries, usually in transit.
They may be inundated with hundreds of resumes to assess for any given position and very little time to devote to each candidate.
The first thing that pops up on that tiny screen should brand you, have the power to immediately capture their attention, and differentiate you from the competition.
Don’t lead your resume with an objective statement. They don’t care what you want. They care what you will do to positively impact bottom line and just how you’ll go about doing it.
Here’s a before-and-after example of an executive resume lead-in:
BEFORE:
Objective: A challenging senior management position in product development where my proven record of success will benefit a progressive company.
AFTER:
Senior Product Development and Operations Executive
Striking success leading product development, IT operations, and professional services for very small start-ups, rapid-growth enterprises, and leading global corporations. Increased Quality Assurance productivity 300% and revenue growth 30% in one year.
Leadership Brand – An instigator of innovation with unwavering determination to bring products to market, I contribute selfless and ethical leadership, influence change, build great talent, plan diligently, monetize opportunities, and execute relentlessly. I will literally do ‘whatever it takes’ to get the job done.
Which one attracts you to the candidate more?
The top third or so of the first page of your resume is prime real estate — the make-or-break snapshot of you. Don’t waste that valuable location on fluff. If your resume doesn’t get to the meat until further down on the page, you may have already lost the reader.
Create chemistry and draw them in at the get-go with hard-hitting, to-the-point, brand-focused statements that illuminate your promise of value to your next employer, and give some indication of your vitality and personality.
_______________________________________________________________________
Before and After Professional Resume Samples
_____________________________________________________________________________________
A resume is a brief, written summary of your skills and experience. It is an overview of who you are and a tool to present yourself to employers. The goal of a well-written resume is to gain a job interview. Job interviews may lead to employment!
Employers and personnel managers are very busy and tend to rapidly review resumes. Therefore, your resume must quickly catch the employer's attention. Writing a brief, to the point description of your experience and skills can do this. Tell the truth on your resume. Write your resume to describe how your skills will meet the employer's needs.
When applying for a job, read the job advertisement or announcement very carefully. Then customize your resume by writing up your skills to describe and match what the employer is looking for. It is helpful to describe your experience and skills by using some of the same words the employer used in the job advertisement.
Read each of the WorkSmart resume sections for helpful suggestions, before getting started on writing your resume.
Preparing to Write Your Resume
Writing a resume requires a little time and planning. However, it is well worth the effort. It is a good idea to begin by writing a master resume. Having an attractive resume on hand that stresses your strongest skills, better prepares you to attend job fairs and respond to a large number of jobs advertised in newspapers and on the Internet.Get organized! Before beginning to write your resume:
- Gather information on your past employment: employer names and addresses, and dates of employment.
- Gather information for personal references: names and addresses.
- Research information on the employer. (See "Research the Employer" under "How to Find a Job.")
- Select a quiet area to gather your thoughts and begin working on your resume.
- Decide what type of resume suits you best: chronological, functional, or automated. (See "Resume Types" below.)
Resume Tips
- Make your resume short (one page, if possible, two pages at most).
- Use white or ivory paper.
- Type your resume on a computer, when possible. (If you do not have access to a computer visit your local Job Service office, One-Stop Career Center, or local public library for help.)
- Use action words to describe your work skills. (See "Action Words" below.)
- Stress skills, knowledge, and abilities that fulfill the job requirements.
- Be specific about accomplishments, but do not stretch the truth.
- Provide information about career goals.
- Make it attractive.
- Emphasize most recent jobs.
- Proofread it for grammar, punctuation and spelling errors.
- If possible, have someone else check your resume for errors.
- Save references and personal data for the interview.
- Avoid date of birth.
- Avoid salaries or the reason for leaving the last job.
- Ask yourself "Would I interview this person?"
- Keep your resume current.
- Finally, prepare a cover letter to introduce your resume. (See "Cover Letter" below.)
Resume Types
When preparing to write your resume, it is very important to select the type of resume that best suits your past work history, and presents your experience and skills in the best light.
Review the resume types listed below to choose the resume type that will work the best for you.
Chronological Resume
A chronological resume lists your most recent job duties and employment dates first. This type of resume tends to be fact-based and may be easily skimmed. It works for those with experience and a steady job history. It is difficult for career changers and those who lack on-the-job experience.
Employers tend to prefer a chronological resume because it is easier to read and review the work history dates and work experience. However, this resume type displays flaws more easily, such as employment gaps.
Functional Resume
A functional resume focuses on skills, experience, and accomplishments. A functional resume works best for the following conditions:
Your work history is not related to the job
Your related experience is not your most recent job
You have gaps in your work history
You have not worked recently
You are just entering the job market
In a functional resume you are advertising your specific qualifications, not the order in which you obtained them. Functional resumes let you emphasize volunteer or civic experience, training, or education.
The functional resume is not usually the favorite resume type among employers, as it is a little more difficult to read. The work history and career paths are not as clear. However, it is important to select the resume type that displays your special qualities to the best advantage.
Automated Resume (Keyword, or Scannable)
An automated, keyword, or scannable resume is formatted to read well when scanned by a computer system. The resume is scanned and entered in a database that can then be searched by keywords so that the applicant's qualifications are matched with the employer's needs. (Keywords describe skills that are commonly used in the career field.) Generally, it is the larger employers (with 100 or more employees) who scan resumes to retain information in databases for future use.
Cover Letter
A cover letter is a short introduction letter that accompanies your resume. The cover letter should persuade the employer to read your resume. It is especially important to use a cover letter when mailing a resume to an employer.
Resume Action Words
When writing a resume it is a good idea to describe your skills and responsibilities with action words. Write up your skills in brief bulleted lists that begin with action words that emphasize your strong points.
The following list provides a small sampling of common action words to get you started:
 | Various Skills Achieved Arranged Built Collected Contributed Delivered Designed Dispatched Examined Improved Increased Informed Maintained Organized Performed Purchased Prepared Scheduled Supervised Trained | Technical Skills Assembled Balanced Built Calculated Cut Designed Detected Developed Formed Generated Inspected Installed Maintained Molded Operated Packaged Processed Remodeled | Sales Skills Accomplished Arbitrated Budgeted Computed Consulted Demonstrated Dissuaded Exceeded Forecasted Generated Increased Influenced Marketed Ordered Persuaded Produced Projected Promoted Realized Saved Sold | |
| Communication Skills Addressed Authored Clarified Created Demonstrated Drafted Presented Persuaded Proofread Reported | Clerical Skills Assigned Balanced Catalogued Charted Compiled Composed Distributed Edited Followed up Identified Ordered Planned Prepared Recorded |
Helping Skills
Assisted Attended Comforted Consoled Encouraged Facilitated Guided Helped Nursed Reassured Served Supported Tutored |
10 Tips for Writing a Perfect Resume
In today’s deep economic recession, recruiters receive hundreds, if not thousands, of resumes for a single position. And, do you know that employers spend only about 30 seconds to review a resume? With a perfect resume, you can catch the attention of the viewer in this short time. If your resume doesn’t attract the employer, you lose an opportunity. Use these ten tips for writing a perfect resume that brings you success:
1. Focus on the Needs of the Employer
A single resume for all the jobs cannot take you anywhere in your job search. Employers dislike resumes that are out of focus from the job requirements. Before you start writing your resume, check the work needs. If your experience and education matches with the job requirements, begin writing a resume. Make sure that it addresses the wants of the job. Prepare a concise resume – it should not be more than two pages. Break the two-page "rule" if you've five or more years of work experience. In such a case, you need more space to highlight your track record.
2. Prioritize your Skills and Experience
Remember that companies spend only about 30 seconds on a resume? Let the key qualifications standout in your resume. How do you do this? First, make a list of your experience and training. Take a closer look at the job description and find the keywords in it. Here are example keywords / key phrases from sample job announcements: experienced in channel marketing, certified java programmer, and fluency in German. Next, prioritize the items in the list. Place the items that have the keywords / key phrases at the top of the list.
3. Write a Summary of Qualifications
A powerful summary entices the recruiter to read your resume. Use the above list to write the summary. Make sure it highlights your accomplishments and experience that satisfy the needs of the job. Your summary should convince the employer of your talent. In fact, your summary should convince the hirer to read the rest of your resume. Here is a sample of a summary:
Professional writer with more than ten years of experience in content writing, including resume and cover letter writing, web content writing, and technical writing. Able to write in a clear and concise way. Knowledge of and experienced in Document Development Life Cycle (DDLC). Adobe-certified PhotoShop trainer. Ability to work individually and in teams. Superior communication, organizational and interpersonal skills.
The summary should contain only six to ten sentences. As the summary may not accommodate all of your skills that match with the job needs, create a sub-section of the summary. Here, use bulleted-points to emphasize the sentences. Look at this example:
- Experienced in formulating standards for documents and engineering drawings
- Skilled in developing online help using the advanced features of RoboHelp
- Proficient in producing and optimizing graphics for online documentation using Photoshop
4. Language and Style for Resume Writing
Impress the employer with your skills and experience and not with flowery, complex tone. A simple language lays a clear path for the recruiter to gauge your talent. Resume that is difficult to read is a barrier to receive the interview call. With a straightforward choice of words and sentences, tell the employer how you can be an asset to the company. Sprinkle your resume with the jargon words of your industry.
Begin each sentence of your experience description with an active verb. Here are few examples of verbs: created, achieved, researched, evaluated, and generated.
Here is an example: Designed and developed HT circuit breakers that improved efficiency by 30% and reduced manufacturing costs by 20%.
Make your resume easier to read with short sentences. Format your sentences with bullets. These help each sentence standout.
5. Turn the Spotlight on Achievements in Resume Writing
Imagine for a moment that you are the employer. Who would you hire? A candidate with the most accomplishments would fit the bill, right? In writing your resume, focus on your achievements instead of mere job description. Some folks use a separate section for accomplishments, while some others build it into the job responsibilities. It’s your call which route you want to take. If space is a concern, you may want to use the first type. Here is a sample of the two versions:
Established company-wide performance evaluation and incentive procedures that reduced employee turnover by 25% (accomplishment included in the job responsibility)
Established company-wide performance evaluation and incentive procedures (standalone job function)
Accomplishments
Reduced employee turnover by 25% (accomplishment given in a separate titled section)
Use a chronological format to list your present and past positions. Start with your current (or most recent) position and then work backwards. In your listing, include the name of the company, city and state, starting and ending month, year, job title, and responsibilities and accomplishments. If you have worked for ten or more years in the present / most recent position, you may not want to give the details of the experience in different companies.
6. Quantify the Achievements
Suppose say you were an e-learning developer and developed an employee-orientation e-learning system. How would you write this in your resume? The two possible scenarios are:
1. Designed and developed an e-learning system for new employee orientation
2. Designed and developed an e-learning system for new employee orientation, resulting in reducing the new recruit training time by 30% and costs by 45%
The first one leaves the employer wondering, was the system implemented? Was it useful?
The second statement demonstrates your work as results-oriented. Further, it quantifies the achievement. Quantify your work experience entries wherever possible and feasible.
7. Other Qualifications
List your additional qualifications, such as training, certifications and licensing, you may have, in a separate section titled like Training / Certification or Training / Licensing, as the case may be.
List any volunteer work experience if it relates to the job you are applying. Mention any membership in professional associations or institutes.
8. Resume in ASCII / Text Format
When you save your resume, save it in two formats: DOC/PDF and text format. The latter helps you apply for jobs online at company websites or career portals that do not allow DOC/PDF formats.
Be aware that if you save a resume in the text format, the software you use for this purpose will remove the styles like bold, italic, and others.
In Word, to save a file in text format, click File > Save As. In the Save As dialog, select Plain Text in the ‘Save as type’ field.
You may not like your plain text resume. With tildes, asterisks, hyphens, and others, however, you can highlight key information.
9. Font, Spelling, and Grammar in Resume Writing
Make a good first impression with the use of a ‘standard’ font for resume writing. Times New Roman, Palatino, or another font with a serif typeface should work well. Stay away from fancy fonts. First, such fonts may not be available on the viewer’s computer. Second, even if the fonts are available, the recruiter may not like you get creative this way, unless you are applying for a creative position.
Check for spelling, syntax, and grammatical errors. Do not let these ruin your chances of an interview.
As white space increases readability, leave one-inch for the left, top, right, and bottom margins of your resume.
How to Write a Strong Cover Letter? guides you to write a powerful cover letter.
10. Give a Title for your Resume
A title in your resume helps the employer to get a faster overview of your areas of expertise. Place the title above the summary component of your resume. Use a font size that will make the title standout.
Here are some examples of a resume title:
Professional Software Developer
Sales & Relationship Manager
Business Development Expert
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