Content and Format Considerations for Resumes
Once a person sits down to write a resume there are two initial considerations that must be made in composing it. First, the writer must determine what to include in the resume. Second, the writer must determine how to effectively present the included content.
In order to determine what to place in a resume, the writer must determine the "personal branding" of the resume. Most job candidates write their resumes with little or no consideration of personal branding. Like a consumer product, your personal branding is the key to giving you a distinct competitive advantage in the job market. Personal branding depends on a number of considerations including the job sought, professional background, job history, age, skills, accomplishments, and personality.
Once you have determined content you must determine how to present it. Many of the same considerations for including content figure into its presentation. For example, if you have employment gaps you must deal with them in a way that de-emphasizes them, and emphasizes your strengths instead. Your personal brand is the key to formatting and must be established within 10 to 15 seconds. Your content must be consistent with your personal brand and answer the ultimate question each employer asks when scanning your resume: "WHAT'S IN IT FOR ME?" This approach will allow your resume to avoid the circular file and get you into the interview room.
Michael Kelly, Certified Advanced Resume Writer
PersonalandBizWriter.com
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Great Advice. If I may, I would like to expand the, "WHAT'S IN IT FOR ME?". I, personally have looked at hundreds of resumes as a hiring manager. What I looked for was, "Do I want to interview this person?". I looked for matches on traits, value system, growth potential, unusual work or life experience. Too many resumes look alike albeit the name is changed. Fancy paper will get me to look at the resume, but without some distinguishing feature, not necessarilty get an interview. The resume needs to get you the interview, the interview will get you the job. Best of sucess to those of you in th ehunt.