I hate to break it to you but your resume is probably weak. Over the past few years, I have worked with hundreds, if not thousands of people to help them know how to write the best possible resume. In my experience, 98% of the resumes I see are….well, garbage.
There are many common guidelines for writing a good resume but I will focus on the most commonly omitted:
1- Highlight how well you did your job, not your tasks- Rarely do I see a resume that boasts accomplishments and contributions rather than the tasks assigned in the job. Here are some examples:
Bad Example
• Operated mining equipment
Good Example
• Mined out an average of 2,000 tons of coal daily using the longwall, blasting tools, and mining drills
• Achieved a perfect safety record as an operator all 4 years at Dugout Mine
Think of how much information I am leaving out using the bad example. How does a potential employer know that I was a good “equipment operator?” Anyone who has worked in a coal mine could say they operated mining equipment. “Operated mining equipment” does not set you apart as a candidate.
2- Target your resume specifically for the job- Yes, this means you must have a customized resume for every job you apply for. It takes more time, but for every 100 untargeted resumes you submit, you will get the same number of interviews if you submit 10 targeted resumes. The likelihood of spelling or grammar mistakes increase but that is why you must find a trusted resume expert to review your resume before sending it. There is a myriad of resources out there, so use them. I do!
3- Be consistent and pay attention to the details- Use the same letterhead for your resume, cover letter and reference sheet. Use action verbs to begin each bullet point. Use the tools in your resume writing software (Word, Google Docs, etc.) to align things properly (avoid the space bar). Spell check and grammar check carefully and then have someone else review it. Use #’s, %’s, and specific awards or recognitions. Punctuation at the end of bullet points are not required.
If you find yourself applying for jobs and not getting interviews, it’s probably your resume. That is the true test of whether your resume is good. If no one is calling you, ask for help.
If you have a career topic you would like me to address, send suggestions to dreamcoachers@gmail.com.
Trust me, your resume needs help
Trenton Willson