Content and Format

Corporations are there to make money or, in the case of governmental work, provide services. Either way, the only way you can be an integral part in that process, is to get the job.

Example resumes are found at the end of this chapter. We also have provided additional examples, both before and after versions, on our web site. By comparing these, you can gain an insight as to what they should look like. They are not copy-protected, so please feel free to select one you like and use the format for your own.

Regardless of your level (entry to CEO), the same rules apply to anyone. Follow the same rules and you will achieve the same results. We’ve included examples of both levels in the workbook. I use WORD by Microsoft and use their instructions and font styles throughout this document because most people have this program.

Here are a few thoughts on the resumes we write:

Name
At the top and on the left side of the paper is my personal preference. Put your name in bold font and in at least a 14-point type-size.

Address
Under that, in 11-point type size, put your address, phone and email address. If you have one of those obnoxious, “cutesy” email addresses, dump it and get another immediately. There are FREE sites available on the www. Split the address across the page from the phone number so that you take up less space on the page.

Position
In 14-point bold type, put the title of the type of position you are applying for and center it on the page (i.e.: Project Manager, Sales Manager, General Manager, etc.).

Objective
I personally don’t recommend an objective. However, if you feel compelled to put one in your resume, then no more than one to four sentences in length. Preferably one to two lines long. Just remember, even if it is done very well, it makes a neutral contribution. If done wrong, you stand the possibility of eliminating yourself from consideration. Your choice.

Skills Summary
Below the position title, write a three to four (no more) line statement summarizing your skills. See sample resumes.

Key Word
Put in a table. Two or three columns with no more than four rows. Go to your Resume Worksheets and pull out 6-12 key words that do NOT contain the same words used in your skills summary above and insert them into the boxes. If you can’t think of any, use the 4000+ word phrase list at www.readyaimhired.com/protected

Educational Achievement
List educational achievements, starting with your highest academic achievement and working backwards. PhD first, MBA second, etc. Each on a separate line. If you are only partially through a Masters Degree, list it.

Do NOT make it look like you have a degree when you don’t. This will kill you when references and vitals are checked. Don’t list high school if you’ve graduated from college. If you are more than five years out of college, then put your education at the end of your resume.

Line Formatting: I like a 13pt. line spacing, with anywhere from a 2 to 9 point space between paragraphs.

Your Title
State your title in the last position you held or in the one you are seeking. I like to put it into bold typeface. Put a 2-6-point space between the line above this section and your title. If you italicize this, please remove the italics for acceptance by scanners used in large corporations and recruiting firms.

Company Name
Put the name of the company in small letters on the first line of the job description.

Title and Years Employed
In CAPITAL LETTERS put your title followed by the years employed there (1986-2000). This is in bold typeface. Remove the bold for the scannable format.

Company Description
Under your title line, put a three to four (no more) line description of the company and include what they make or provide, their size (people or sales or both), and their position in their particular marketplace.

Accomplishments
These are very important. I always encourage my clients to see if they can get an accomplishment into 21 words or less. Less is actually better. The challenge is 15 words. Remember, accomplishments are designed to say in the barest and most simple terms how well you did what you did. They should always contain one or more of the following: number, percentage, dollars.

Now list the key points of what you did for that company. Indicate each with an 11 to 12 point bullet. The words and phrases you will use come directly from Exercise 3.5., Resume Worksheets. These will help you form the proper structure and Exercise 4.1 (4000+ words and phrases) will help you if you need alternative words or phrases to avoid repetition!

Key Action Verbs, Work Phrases
Now list the key points of what you did for that company. Indicate each with an 11 to 12 point bullet. The words and phrases you will use come directly from Exercise 3.5., Resume Worksheets. These will help you form the proper structure and Exercise 4.1 (4000+ words and phrases) will help you if you need alternative words or phrases to avoid repetition!

For each job you’ve had, begin each statement in the past tense using an action verb (i.e.: implemented, managed, organized, etc). However, if you are still employed, then by all means use the present tense (i.e.: implement, manage, organize, etc.).

Simplicity
You must keep your resume simple and easy to read. Make sure your job title is easily understandable, don’t use obscure vocabulary and try to pick words that are familiar to a variety of readers. Whenever possible, use bullet points and short phrases that are easily readable and “eye scannable” by any reader.

Overall Form
Use short, action-oriented, high-impact phrases when running out of space on a line. Do not repeat the same action verb. When describing your current position, make sure that you use the current tense and in past positions, the past tense.

Watermarks
You would be amazed at the number of people who don’t check the watermarks on the paper. By placing the paper incorrectly into the printer the document is produced with the watermark upside down. Old fogeys like me look at this and might conclude that you are careless. Why would I want to hire a careless person?

Sending
I would recommend using a 9” x 12” envelope rather than a regular letter envelope. In this way, your resume arrives unfolded, easily scannable and clear. Another small consideration for not being eliminated.

Inaccuracies
Whatever you do, get the spelling right. If you haven’t shown the courtesy and attention to detail sufficiently enough to spell correctly in your resume, you will most likely be eliminated up front!

These are not the characteristics they have identified when they say they want a problem solver and good communicator who can get the job done. You may very well be able to get the job done, but at what level of performance and what level of quality? Enough said. Find at least three other people to critique and proof your resume and cover letters before they are sent.

Don’t use a telephone number that has been disconnected. Don’t use false information or dates in your resume. They can be grounds for termination. They may not terminate you now, but the first storm that comes along, it becomes a convenient excuse to overlook your severance package. They save money and you lose!

Don’t use acronyms unless your targeted reader is in your field, will completely be comfortable with them and no one else will be seeing the resume who doesn’t understand the terms. Engineers, software and hardware applicants should appropriately put them in a section that is designated as “technical competencies.” Safer this way.

Termination Reasons
Are you kidding? I spoke with an applicant the other day who presented a long diatribe about her termination.

There are many reasons not to tell, but the main one is that you don’t have to. Read the unit on interviewing and learn how to answer this question.

Patents
I prefer to list them at the end under an accomplishments section. They should be written in such a way as to stand out, but not dominate, the section into which they are placed, unless you are applying for a position where these are considered a requirement for acceptance.