What is a Resume?
Résumé comes from the French word 'résumer', which means to sum up or summarize. Today, a resume is exactly that, a summary of a person’s qualifications, experience, and education.
What is an Effective Resume?
A resume demonstrates to a prospective employer that you, the applicant, have the required or desired skills gained through education, work, or volunteer experience to accomplish a job. Through a resume, you want to show that you are reliable and that you can deliver results.
To create an effective resume, its best to remember the acronym KISS, that is, Keep It Simple, Silly! That means an effective resume is:
• Generally, one or two pages long
• Easy to read
• A summary of an applicant’s experience, skills and education
• Focused on showing an applicant’s accomplishments rather than responsibilities
When to Write a Resume?
A person writes a resume when applying for a job.
A resume is written in a way that targets keywords in a job advertisement. It is possible to create a generic resume, without responding to a particular job ad; however, even in those instances, a person should use the appropriate terminology for that specific career field.
Example: I am creating my first resume to apply for multiple jobs in the retail sector. Even though I may not have a particular employer in mind, I should still research the necessary skills to be successful in the retail industry. Through my experience and education, I should show that I have those required and desired skills.
What Other 'Documents’ Accompany a Resume?
• A cover letter almost always accompanies a resume. It is an opportunity to provide detail about particular accomplishments that can be found in the resume. Like a resume, cover letters are customized to target the specific requirements of a particular job.
• In the past, a list of references attached to a resume was something that potential employers expected. However, today, for most jobs, an applicant will bring references to a job interview. References allow a prospective employer the opportunity to consult with another individual about your skills.
• Portfolios are required for certain positions, such as jobs in journalism, marketing, and education. Portfolios are examples of your work. Today, many applicants will have an e-portfolio that a prospective employer can access online.
Think of a resume like a product you create to promote your services. It is a marketing tool, so spend time to strategize on how to show that you are an essential asset to a prospective employer.