The Original Vocation Agency, 1531 Bittersweet drive, Greenfield, Indiana 46140
ph:317.462.6888
ph:317.462.6888
all rights reserved
copyright 2009
copyright 2009
Resume Saving Tips
Your resume must be a sales brochure for where you want to be, not just where you have been. Too many people
make the mistake of creating a resume that is merely a reflection of history. Too often resumes only show what a
person has done and where they have done it; there is noting to promote where they want to be and why they think
they are qualified to be there. When a prospective employer reads your resume, they not only want a glimpse of
where you have been but they want to see that you have the skills and abilities needed to make a positive impact with
their organization. The resume is a tool to get you an interview. There must be something in it to entice the reader.
Think about a direct mailing advertisement that you might get in the mail for lawn treatment. This is essentially this
company’s resume. They send it out with hopes that it will catch someone’s eye and that they will then call them out
for an actual proposal. Just like sending your resume to a company (or companies) hoping they will call you in for an
interview. When you read the direct mailer from the lawn care company, you will see a few things: information about
the company, the services or products that they offer, how they have helped others and what they can do for you.
These are the same components that your resume must contain in order to draw the attention of a prospective
employer.
Below are five resume rules:
1. Never, ever, ever, EVER lie on your resume – The information on your resume must be accurate
and truly reflect your skills, abilities and work history. You will get caught at some point and it is simply not worth the
risk. (Never mind the fact that it is dishonest, which should be enough reason not to do it in the first place.) Besides,
the truth is you don’t want a job that you are not qualified for. Getting into that kind of situation will set you up for
failure every time. You have skills and abilities and passions of your own that if utilized, will be able to get you a job
that has meaning and that you’ll be good at.
2. The Fewer Words the Better – Your resume needs to be concise. There used to be a rule, or at least a
perceived rule that your resume needed to be kept to a single page. Well, that is fine when you are right out of college
or have very little work experience. However, as you gain experience, you will need to expand your resume to make
room for all the great things you’ve done. But, it still needs to be concise. Short, tight sentences that give the
important details and nothing else. It is unlikely that anyone will ever read your resume from beginning to end
regardless how long or short it is. It is important that your resume look like a quick read. That will encourage people
to actually take a few seconds and read it.
3. Spell Check and Grammar – If you won’t spend the time on your resume to ensure that there are no mis-
spellings or grammar slip-ups, then why in the world would I think that you would pay anymore attention to the details
of the job that I am now not going to hire you for. This is about as basic as basic can get. Be professional, regardless of
the position. Have someone else read your resume before you send it out to ensure it reads smooth and that all your I’
s are dotted and T’s are crossed.
4. Know where and why you are sending it – You need to perform a focused job search versus using
the shotgun approach of sending your resume to any and every organization that you can find online. Remember,
your resume is a tool to get you in the door for an interview. If you get to the interview and don’t know why you
applied for that particular job, except of course because they had an opening, then you have wasted both yours and
the employer’s time. Anyway, you don’t want to just work anywhere. You want to work somewhere that you can
shine, that you will enjoy and that will provide meaning. That is possible and you can find a job like that if you put
some effort into it.
5. Invest in your Resume. – Again, your resume is the first thing that an employer will see of you. It is the
sales brochure for You, inc. It has to be great. It has to stand out above the rest and be just what the company is
looking for. Be sure to invest the time and effort and money if needed to ensure that your resume is as good as it can
be. It can’t simply be a generic listing of stuff. It has to paint a picture of someone who is ready and willing to take on
the job that is available. Find someone to help you make sure your resume is ready for the big time.
Your resume alone will not get you your dream job but it can keep you from getting it.
Your resume must be a sales brochure for where you want to be, not just where you have been. Too many people
make the mistake of creating a resume that is merely a reflection of history. Too often resumes only show what a
person has done and where they have done it; there is noting to promote where they want to be and why they think
they are qualified to be there. When a prospective employer reads your resume, they not only want a glimpse of
where you have been but they want to see that you have the skills and abilities needed to make a positive impact with
their organization. The resume is a tool to get you an interview. There must be something in it to entice the reader.
Think about a direct mailing advertisement that you might get in the mail for lawn treatment. This is essentially this
company’s resume. They send it out with hopes that it will catch someone’s eye and that they will then call them out
for an actual proposal. Just like sending your resume to a company (or companies) hoping they will call you in for an
interview. When you read the direct mailer from the lawn care company, you will see a few things: information about
the company, the services or products that they offer, how they have helped others and what they can do for you.
These are the same components that your resume must contain in order to draw the attention of a prospective
employer.
Below are five resume rules:
1. Never, ever, ever, EVER lie on your resume – The information on your resume must be accurate
and truly reflect your skills, abilities and work history. You will get caught at some point and it is simply not worth the
risk. (Never mind the fact that it is dishonest, which should be enough reason not to do it in the first place.) Besides,
the truth is you don’t want a job that you are not qualified for. Getting into that kind of situation will set you up for
failure every time. You have skills and abilities and passions of your own that if utilized, will be able to get you a job
that has meaning and that you’ll be good at.
2. The Fewer Words the Better – Your resume needs to be concise. There used to be a rule, or at least a
perceived rule that your resume needed to be kept to a single page. Well, that is fine when you are right out of college
or have very little work experience. However, as you gain experience, you will need to expand your resume to make
room for all the great things you’ve done. But, it still needs to be concise. Short, tight sentences that give the
important details and nothing else. It is unlikely that anyone will ever read your resume from beginning to end
regardless how long or short it is. It is important that your resume look like a quick read. That will encourage people
to actually take a few seconds and read it.
3. Spell Check and Grammar – If you won’t spend the time on your resume to ensure that there are no mis-
spellings or grammar slip-ups, then why in the world would I think that you would pay anymore attention to the details
of the job that I am now not going to hire you for. This is about as basic as basic can get. Be professional, regardless of
the position. Have someone else read your resume before you send it out to ensure it reads smooth and that all your I’
s are dotted and T’s are crossed.
4. Know where and why you are sending it – You need to perform a focused job search versus using
the shotgun approach of sending your resume to any and every organization that you can find online. Remember,
your resume is a tool to get you in the door for an interview. If you get to the interview and don’t know why you
applied for that particular job, except of course because they had an opening, then you have wasted both yours and
the employer’s time. Anyway, you don’t want to just work anywhere. You want to work somewhere that you can
shine, that you will enjoy and that will provide meaning. That is possible and you can find a job like that if you put
some effort into it.
5. Invest in your Resume. – Again, your resume is the first thing that an employer will see of you. It is the
sales brochure for You, inc. It has to be great. It has to stand out above the rest and be just what the company is
looking for. Be sure to invest the time and effort and money if needed to ensure that your resume is as good as it can
be. It can’t simply be a generic listing of stuff. It has to paint a picture of someone who is ready and willing to take on
the job that is available. Find someone to help you make sure your resume is ready for the big time.
Your resume alone will not get you your dream job but it can keep you from getting it.
The Original Vocation Agency
the Life Balance authority
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