By Andrea Davis

 

You're smart, experienced, and a born leader. Your resumé says so. That being the case, you ask yourself, why aren't employers calling? The hard truth is that in times like this, when there are many talented people vying for a limited number of jobs, it's unlikely you'll even land an interview (let alone your dream job) if you don't have a great resumé. So what is a great resumé? Glad you asked.

This article is not about resumé writing 101. I’m going to assume that you know the basics. If you’ve never written a resumé before, there are lots of great resources out there to help you get started. This article is really intended for those who feel they need to improve their CVs. So let’s get started.

1. Keep it brief. It’s tempting to provide a lot of detail about your career history but nobody has the time or the desire to read a novel about you. (No offense). You have about 30 seconds to make an impression, so your resumé should be no more than two pages. And don’t try to jam your life history in two pages by using the smallest font available. It’s got to be very clear, and you shouldn’t need a magnifying glass to read it.

2. Focus on your achievements. It’s amazing how many people make the mistake of simply listing their daily tasks at their last job. Not only will that make your CV too lengthy, but you’re not going to impress anyone, and you won’t be called for an interview (and of course you won’t get the job). So instead of saying you met with suppliers, managed procurement and prepared reports, you should mention how you saved your employer hundreds of thousands of dollars by negotiating discounts with suppliers (assuming, of course, you really did that!). Now not everyone has the kind of job that allows them the opportunity to help their employers save hundreds of thousands of dollars, but that’s not the point. The point is that you must highlight your successes, regardless of your position. It could be saving your employer time, coming up with a new idea that helped the company make more money, or helping a fellow employee get something done on time and on budget.

3. Don’t lie. If there’s one thing that’s worse than not highlighting your successes, it’s lying about them. Never lie. Period.

4. Tweak it. Every job you apply for is different so it goes without saying that your resumé will have to be tailored for each job application. Make sure your CV is relevant to the position and that your accomplishments are aligned with the job requirements.

5. Don't make mistakes. Proofread, proofread, proofread. And then get someone else to proofread. A single spelling or grammatical error can cost you that job.

Now get ready for that interview!