Resume Writing 101

With all of the buzz today on the struggles we all face in this sagging economy I want to address an issue I find crucial to todays workforce.
Resume writing...

Below is an article I picked up on Yahoo! hotjobs
Resume Writing 101
Simply put, a resume is an advertisement that makes the reader act and if your resume is well-written, the reader should want to interview you.
Keep It Simple
Recruiters want resumes that are simple to understand, especially when it comes to the skills needed to perform the job and employment history.
Be sure your resume clearly communicates that you possess the knowledge and experience needed to perform the job in question. Use the job description to tailor your resume to the position. Try to avoid industry jargon and geek words such as "facilitated" or "value-added" when describing your skills and experiences.
Your resume should also include your dates of employment. The absence of dates makes recruiters scrutinize your employment history even more closely.
Features Versus Benefits
Your resume should show how you can benefit an employer -- not just list your features and skills.
Past performance is often an indicator of future performance.
Think about instances where you went above and beyond the call of duty. Look at past performance reviews to refresh your memory. Employers want the best employees, and your resume should reflect your value.
Truth in Advertising
You have to have done what you claim on your resume.
Many employers today take steps to ensure that you have the background you claim. They have a wide variety of background checking tools at their disposal.
Background checks can include:
• reference checks,
• credit checks,
• criminal background checks,
• past employment verification,
• education verification and
• social security number traces to verify identity.
If you're dishonest in the hiring process, odds are that you'll be caught. Rather than waste the emplyers time -- and your time -- be truthful on your resume. It's not only the right thing to do, but the smart thing.
It Takes Two
You can't create a strong resume alone. Everyone needs help.
Don't rely on automatic spelling and grammar checking programs. You need to find an editor you trust. If no one in your immediate circle of family or friends can help, try other resources. Yahoo! HotJobs offers valuable resume tips and advice. Monster has many great tools and your local workforce development center or employment center can help you with mountains of tools to get your resume looking simple and spectacular.
Staff at your state's employment development office may be available to review your resume. Staffing agency recruiters may also volunteer to help you. Writing an effective resume requires practice and feedback. But once you get the basics down, interviews are sure to follow.
Every word on your resume counts in today's competitive job market. But some words count more than others -- especially those that refer to soft skills.
Soft skills are increasingly important in the workplace. In fact, 86 percent of employers considered soft skills to be among their most important hiring criteria in a recent survey by two University of Massachusetts economists
'Teamwork'
Teamwork is more important than ever in the workplace.
The ability to work well with others to accomplish a common goal is vital for a harmonious workplace.
'Flexibility'
Employers value workers who are flexible and able to juggle multiple tasks simultaneously. In other words, it's sometimes just as important to be a jack-of-all-trades as a master of one.
'Detail-Oriented'
Employers want to know that they can trust workers to handle a project down to the last detail.
Being "detail-oriented" means being organized and meticulous about your work. It also implies that you can work without constant supervision and act
'Self-Motivated'
Employers value employees who are self-starters. These workers can generate their own ideas and follow them through to fruition.
A self-motivated worker goes the extra mile. She regularly takes on tasks that may not be part of her job description. She's inspired to work hard not just to reap rewards but also for personal satisfaction.

Enjoy the thrill and satisfaction of putting your professional life on paper.
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