Create an IMPACT With Your Resume!

We all might have heard the saying "The first impression is the best impression." Well, considering your resume, this couldn't be truer. The added constriction being that you only have a few seconds to convey this impression.

Your resume shouldn't be a detailed life or work history. The word Résumé has French roots literally meaning to summarize, and this is what a prospective employer wants to see. The resume should have enough information conveyed in just the right way to want a person to meet you.

This is pretty simple. Limit yourself to the following points and you will find that your resume will have the best impact.

1. First and foremost, make sure you are using the right grammar and spell check your resume just to make sure. There is no substitute for correct usage of English. Do not use words you are not sure of or cannot explain.

2. Keep it short and simple but include enough relevant information. Give your potential employer the opportunity to see the best of what you have done at other companies. Do NOT include information that isn't true, no matter how minuscule.

3. Contrary to what you hear (from amateurs) never include a Statement of Objective at the top of your résumé unless you are looking for a particular position. This only limits your options and doesn't really reflect well on your flexibility.

4. List your Professional Experiences precisely. Companies you have worked for, dates, position held, duties/responsibilities and accomplishments/achievements, if any. A chronological order is often the best (latest experience first). Make sure not to leave noticeable gaps in your work history.

5. Present your resume in a neat way; make sure to use a clear font (the most popular is Times New Roman) and just the right size. Use bullet points where necessary and make headings bold. Before finishing off, remember to 'justify' the text. Do not clutter or over-crowd your resume. Save the resume in Word and PDF format. These are the most commonly asked for formats online and if you have to paste your information in a form, you can use the Word document.

6. Use numbers when you can. When explaining a point or achievement, emphasize the importance by using numbers (increased sales by 30%, added $500,000 to company's annual profits). This has proven to be more effective that words.

7. Include your contact information (name, address, phone, email) and perhaps a link to your LinkedIn profile at the top. Don't add Twitter and Facebook, the reader wouldn't care less.

It is not necessary to use words that are too complicated or hard to understand, but some words when used properly can really help your resume create the desired impact. Try to use as many keywords (words relevant to your industry) as possible because many employers have the resumes scanned for certain words to shortlist candidates. The ones that aren't shortlisted are ignored. Include a Cover Letter with the resume. This will help personalize the interaction and will give a brief introduction. You can even put some important information on the cover letter to cut down the length of the resume.