While I was flying back from Christmas break, I had some time to kill in more than one airport. Usually I find a magazine to browse (not buy, just read), a newspaper to thumb through, or a TCBY so I can enjoy the best frozen yogurt that exists. This trip was one of the first where I actually brought my laptop, so I popped it open and marveled in having the Internet at my fingers no matter where I was (love!). But somewhere in the web-browsing process, I got a little bored and opened my resume. Why? Who knows. It needed a little updating, and I did just that.

Since then I haven’t looked at it more than twice. It’s in PDF form, up on my web site, and just hanging out in “My Documents” until I need it (soon!). I had just assumed it was okay, since it’s the same one I’ve been using for the last two years, with a few added updates. What I did not think about was the fact that my goals/focus/life have changed just a little bit in the last year. The last time I needed a final draft of this document I was applying for Internships, aka “Continued Education.” Now? I’m finishing up said Continued Education and looking for a job. Today I learned that my resume needs a complete makeover!

During class today, we revisited the applications steps; interview attire/etiquette, resumes, cover letters, networking, and job offers. Yup. That’s what consumed my entire afternoon. To be honest, it invoked quite a bit of anxiety. All coming from knowing that all of these steps lay ahead, the economy isn’t a graduate’s best friend right now, and I’m still not 100 percent sure where I want to live.

Anyway. It’s time to revamp the resume! I may not be ready to send in applications, and the job market may not be ideal for entering, but I can make sure everything part of my application packet is looking good and ready to market ME.

We walked away from today’s lecture with handouts, tips, and examples of application-ready resumes. Here are a few tips I picked up for changing my education-resume to my JOB-Resume:

• Put “Education” at the bottom. In our director’s words, “They know you went to college. Otherwise, you wouldn’t be applying! If they’re interested, they’ll keep reading to find out where you went to school.”

• Only include relevant “Work Experience.” Sure, after 23 years, I’ve had some odd jobs and some great jobs. The fact is, not all of them matter. When you’re aiming for a one-page limit (which I am!), you realize that summer job between freshman/sophomore year where you got certified to use a chainsaw really isn’t so important. (Yes. True story.)

• Fold your resume in half (width-wise). By looking at the top-half, does it speak highly of you and what you’ve accomplished? If not, revamp it.

• Use action verbs and focus on accomplishments vs. responsibilities. What does this mean? Well, if you worked in a hospital and saw patients every day….that’s not much to brag about. That was probably part of the job (i.e. a responsibility). However, if while you were working at the hospital you also happened to help rewrite the nutrition-assessment form , that is something worth mentioning.

• Change your resume depending on the job you want. This one seems obvious to some, but can also be quite the project to take on. Different positions/careers/employers are usually looking for different skills/accomplishments/experience. Make sure you reflect yourself truly, and market yourself for the both the job you Want and the job you’re applying for!

Anything you’d like to add??? There are tons of tips out there, and there are also plenty of ways to do this right. The beauty of it is, your resume reflects you, so ultimately make sure it’s done in a way that you’re proud of.

(Editors note: Use JobWeb’s cover letter, resume, and interview rubrics to evaluate your job-search preparation.)

Posted by Mary Ellen Nunes at 04/02/2009 08:35:54 AM |