Category Archives: Resume Tips

How to Write Achievements in Resume that Create a Stunning Impact

How to write achievements in resume that create a stunning impact?

Writing achievements in resume can be a daunting task. We either do not know what we can showcase or simply we are not taught the correct way in highlighting our accomplishments. Therefore, some decide to overlook this section entirely. At their own peril of course.

While resume ought to describe your job duties, the achievements part should be given sufficient emphasis, so that the employers can appreciate positive changes that you have brought to your organization.

Following are a series of steps how you can write achievements in your resume effectively that can give your resume the winning edge.

Resume achievements

1. Brainstorm

Take some time to think of some of the major results, changes and accomplishments you have spearheaded in the past. Jot them down using the platforms or methods you prefer: using a sketch note, on a personal diary, Word document on PC, mobile notes or tablet applications, whichever works. Because it is a brainstorming session, do not be too concerned if you are writing silly stuff. You can filter those during the next stage.

Examples of some raw achievements can be as follows:

  • bring more sales
  • found more customer prospects
  • plant trees surrounding the office
  • implement a new ticket support system
  • revise the SOPs
  • use less papers

Continue reading →

Resume Checklist: 13 Things You Should do Before Applying for a Job

Leave a reply

Following are 13 steps you should take before applying for employment using a resume. Using these ideas from the below resume checklist will give you the added boost you need to make sure everything is clear, concise, and professional. These are the same steps that professional resume writers adhere to when you hire them to help you. By following the advice of professional resume writers, you can be on your way to a new career with much less stress.

  • I, me, or my should never be used in a resume.  It may take restructuring sentences to get this right. Those reading your resume know whose resume it is and pronouns only cloud the waters.
  • Use correction action verbs. As you develop bullet points in your resume, specifically on the professional experience section, use verbs or adverbs that show action.
  • Edit your resume to remove any words that are unnecessary.  These words are often called “fluff” words and include the, that, or too many ands and therefores.
  • Determine whether or not you have included all your personal skills and attributes. Include these in your professional summary and be sure to include all the important skills. Check out sample resumes online if you need more ideas on what to write.
  • Target specific qualifications. Make sure your resume includes descriptions to the job you are seeking. Do not apply for jobs that you are not qualified for even if you are justify applying.
  • Prioritize your achievements and skills. The most important and pertinent skills and achievements should be listed near the top of your section. Use bullet point to make these skills stand out to an interviewer or someone who is reading your resume for qualifications.
  • Keep relevant information on your resume and delete those skills and attributes that have nothing to do with the job you are seeking. If you must include irrelevant skills, list them toward the bottom of the list.
  • Use subtitles and categorizations if you find that you have too many achievements or skills. Make subheadings such as responsibilities and/or achievements.  Keep the resume clean and concise.
  • Check and possibly edit sentences. Include specific information about what you have done, where you have worked, and how you accomplished your given responsibilities.
  • Double check that your achievements and skills include challenges you faced, any actions you took to help the company or solve problems. Make sure your list the results of your valuable actions.
  • Mix line lengths.  Bullet points can be redundant when everything is the same length and style.  Vary the length to create interest. In your bullet points show what you did for the company, how you accomplished the task, and list the benefits provided by your actions.
  • Double check grammar and sentence structure. Nothing is more glaring than poor grammar, wrong punctuation, and misspelled words. There are hiring managers who will toss a resume for grammar mistakes. Have someone else proofread your resume before sending it out.
  • Adjectives can spice up a resume. Make sure you are using adjectives correctly.  Use descriptive words to describe your work.

Read your resume as if you are the hiring manager. You may find that by taking this step you will find ideas that can make a difference.  Proof read over and over until you resume is perfect.  Again remember that grammar mistakes can cost you a job.

Should I Put My Expected Salary in My Resume?

1 Reply

Should I put expected salary in my resume?

I am preparing my resume. Should I put expected salary in my resume?

Salary plays an important factor in deciding whether you are to accept or reject a job offer. After all, not many would be willing to jump to another job if the pay does not meet the expectation. You have worked hard enough and driven the company through a series of notable achievements. Now you want a respectable figure to justify your switch to another company.

There are conflicting opinions on whether the expected resume should be put in the resume. Some say you should, some say this is not necessary.

Perhaps we can revisit the purpose of writing and sending the resume. It is imperative to realize that resume will NOT get you a job. Rather, it gets you into the screening stage. The subsequent screening will decide if you are to be hired or rejected.

In other words, a resume is prepared in such a way that the prospective employers will be enticed to know more about you since your resume indicates that you are a potential match to the candidate they are looking for. Therefore, the resume should focus on outlining your academic background, employment history, skills and accomplishments (professional and academic).

Once a candidate is shortlisted as potential hire, the next screening begins. This includes phone interview, face to face interview and hiring decision.  The salary negotiation belongs to this next stage.

In conclusion, it is wise not to put your expected salary down in the resume yet. But well, it’s you who decide.

What is a Cover Letter and Why You Should Care About It

1 Reply

What is a cover letter, and why you should care about it

What is a cover letter? Why you should care about it?

Generally speaking, a cover letter is an introductory write-up that accompanies the main material you intend to send to the recipient. In employment, a cover letter refers to the brief letter you write when you submit a resume or job application to a company.

The cover letter is ideally to be written in such a way to get the reader interested in what you are offering (skills, qualifications, background, achievements etc.). It should be short, concise and gets to the point. At the same time, it needs to be engaging.

For some, writing a cover letter sounds and looks like a pretty daunting task. “There’s too much planning to do and too much time to spend,” many would complain. A lot also believe that hiring managers don’t read cover letters.

Well, more than half of the employers and hiring managers do read the cover letter before going through the resume. The other half either read half-heartedly or ignore it altogether. Time constraint has always been the most prevalent excuse for this, without realizing they may probably be spending longer time reading the resume afterwards.

Therefore, to increase your odd of getting a good impression in your job application, pay attention to this cover letter thing.

Continue reading →