Welcome to Resume and Cover Letter Tips Guide
Professional Resume Tips Article
HR professional resume tips
from:When it comes to handling many resumes every day, knowing what HR professionals are looking for can create a better chance that you will be the next candidate called for the interview. Professional resume tips can really give you an edge!
Professional resume tips #1 - Size matters
The length of your resume will be partially determined by the amount of working experience that you have, but length does not make your resume stand out.
If you are new to the workplace or just don’t have a lot of experience in the field in which you are applying, HR professionals like to see a one page resume. This is a brief way to summarize the qualities and experience that you do have without taking a lot of their time.
Of course, if you do have more experience that is directly related to the position for which you are applying, a two page resume might be more suitable. Of course, if you’re just listing things to make the resume longer, you might not have the desired outcome.
Bottom line: be as brief as you can without leaving out something that the HR people would like to know.
Professional resume tips #2 - Adding up the time
A lot of resume writers are concerned about whether or not to ‘fudge’ the dates of their jobs in order to make a seamless chronology of their work history.
First of all, that’s lying. And you don’t want to start off a new job with a lie that can be discovered.
Second of all, HR professionals want to see the gaps of your employment and how these gaps were filled by you. Perhaps you had a child or there was a family situation that resulted in your leaving the job for a time—whatever the reason, be ready to give one for the gaps.
It’s the unexplained absences that look worse that those that make sense.
Professional resume tips #3 - Talking about the positions held
What you may want to do is describe positions that are related to the one that you are applying for. While you will still be asked about the length of time you were in each position, showing the relevance is a lot more helpful to the HR staff.
Give your positions their correct titles or ones that convey the same idea. Supervisor and manager are often used interchangeably, for example, while supervisor can sold slightly more professional.
As long as you’re not making up titles, you’re fine to smooth out their wording.
Professional resume tips #4 - What have you already done
Hiring managers want to know what you have already done for your prior employers. Try to have figures and facts that you can quote and discuss. Did you increase sales? Were you the most productive in your position? Find things that you can give to the HR person in black and white and you’ll find that you get better responses.
Talk about the positive things that you have done for your employers, and if there were negative situations, find the positive light in them in case you are asked.
Professional resume tips #5 - The dreaded cover letter
Do you need a cover letter? In many cases, hiring managers like to see something that shows your individual personality. After so many resumes, they can begin to look the same. This isn’t to say that you should start off with a joke or send a picture of yourself, but you should use a cover letter to give a little indication of the type of employee you are.
You want to show that you know what kinds of responsibilities can be expected of you if hired and that you understand the goals of the company.
Show them that you want this job and that you are more than ready for it.
Professional resume tips #6 - Editing counts
Simple errors in grammar and spelling go a long way to hurting your chances of getting hired in any higher position. Take the time to have a friend or family member read your resume to make sure that you sound and look professional.
Remember that hiring managers only have a little time to read all of the resumes that they receive. Get right to the point, and your resume will get right to the top of the pile.