Writing Great Resumes
Writing a Great Resume
Typically, a tailor-made application (STD 678) and resume will be the most common requirements for an application package. A resume summarizes you as a job candidate and showcases your professional highlights and accomplishments. In the state application process, resumes are a secondary component to your application package but critical to making yourself stand out.
Here are ten tips for writing a great resume:
- Use an eye-catching, easy-to-read format. Include headings, bold print, and bullets on your resume, as it's more reader-friendly and accessible for a hiring manager to skim through.
- Do not regurgitate the same information between your resume and your state application. You want your resume to contain new information, not a repeat of what the hiring manager has already read.
- Use specific examples to highlight your accomplishments. Your state application has your entire employment history, be selective about what you put on your resume.
- Put your strongest achievements and qualifications at the top of your resume just as you would highlight your most vital points in an interview.
- Add a "Selected Highlights" section to your resume and align critical achievements, skills, and experiences to the position to catch the hiring manager's attention.
- Include only relevant job experience. If your resume is padded (i.e., adding false or exaggerated information), some hiring managers will question your qualifications.
- Don't try to be all things to all people. What are your top three (3) skills that align with the job? Focus and expand on those.
- Read the duty statement (job description) carefully to understand the role better, and take note of keywords and phrases you'll want to use in your resume.
- Create a different resume for each job/position you are applying for. Resumes are not one-size-fits-all.
- Proofread your resume. Given the competition, just one or two typos may eliminate you from consideration.
