(An Overview)
Your résumé’s primary purpose is to get an interview, and in order to be effective, you need to know a little bit about those who read your résumé. HR departments receive an average of 75-100 résumés for each posted position. They take an average of 5-10 seconds to scan the first page for the initial screening. Why? It's simple... they are looking to see what you can do for them! An Achievement Based Résumé will help you get past this initial screening by clearly highlighting your professional achievements in the related profession.
Here are several tips to help you get past the first screening, and into the interview:
Let them know what you can do for them (your achievements) in the first 1/3 of the first page.
Your résumé should be no more than 2 pages in most cases. (There are exceptions such as an extensive technical background or advanced degree material)
Send both digital and paper résumés for jobs you’re really interested in.
HR Departments don’t favor résumés thathave misspelled words, don’t contain related
key words, or arevague as to what you can do for their company.
Use the résumé format that’s best for you. (By the way, these formats are all on YOUR iWork website, )
Chronological – Shows continued growth in your field; highlights related achievements within each
of your previous jobs; shows employment dates of each job. (Best when staying in the same field)
Functional – Groups professional achievements in key areas; emphasis on your job related skills
rather than past work history/companies; lists work history & dates separately. (Best used when
transitioning careers)
“Targeted” – While not a format as such, a targeted résumé is a modification of either of the two aboveso
as to closely match the specific target position’s job description needs. This type résumé is probably the
most powerful because it highlights your qualifications that meet a target job's specific needs. (Best used
when the target job's specific requirements are known) However, it is NOT suited for “broadcast mailings.
Remember these tips when putting your strengths up front… (first 1/3 of the first page)
Related, quantified achievements Industry key words & phrases Strong action verbs
Uncluttered – nothing that doesn’t pertain to the job Show proof of what you can do for them
Things NOT to include in your résumé
Date of birth Hobbies (unless professionally related) Photographs Marital status
Salary History Letters of recommendation References or “References provided upon request”
The words "responsible for" this only states what you were supposed to do…. not what you did, or how well you did it!
Regardless of the format you select,
make sure you identify, quantify, describe, and highlight your
achievements up front! This is how you show the readers
what you can do for them!