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Show, Don’t Tell
When writing about your work experience, show, don’t tell. Don’t resort to a laundry list of job functions; instead demonstrate how you helped your employer solve a problem or start a new process. “Talk about what you did as a contributor to the company. Talk about your accomplishments,” explains Padilla.
Don’t Forget Your “Soft Skills”
Your technical skills will get your foot in the door, but your “soft skills” -- the ability to communicate and work well with others -- will get you the job. “It’s important to summarize what you think your soft skills are – like communicating – as well as the actual hands-on skills,” explains Lou Schwartrz, vice president professional services at Conversion Services International (CSI), a company offering solutions for business intelligence and data warehouse space. Promote your soft skills in your resume by incorporating experiences where you led a team or where communication was important.
Mind the Gap
These days it's not uncommon to switch jobs or be “downsized.” The question is: how do you handle those “gaps” on your resume? Recruiters interviewed varied on their tolerance for resume gaps, but they agreed on one thing: you must be honest about your work record.
Gaps are fine according to Schwartz. “If there are gaps, they should explain the gaps,” he counsels. “The world is not like it was twenty years ago. People loose jobs, people take time off, people do change careers and then come back. It’s OK as long as you’ve kept up with the technology. If it looks like you’re trying to hide something, chances are that you are.”
However, resume gaps are a red flag for Dawn Dreyer, a contract recruiter for L3 Photonics where security clearance is required for most employees. “If there’s job-hopping, I’m not going to consider that person. We’re looking for stability in a person’s background,” says Dreyer.
Check and Double-check
When you’re satisfied with your resume, share it with a few trusted friends and colleagues. Have them review it for accuracy, readability, and typos.
Megan Fleming is a freelance writer who lives in New Mexico. |
