Get a Job! Tips for Organizing Your Resume

Get a Job! Tips for Organizing Your Resume
by: Stacey Agin Murray



Whether you're a Vice President of Marketing or a recent college grad,
your resume is the 'key' to opening the doors of employment. It is an
employer's first impression of you and believe it or not, many hiring
officials spend less than thirty seconds reviewing it. With only fleeting
moments to make a first impression, it is imperative that your resume be
organized.

Polish your shoes, practice your handshake, and take note of some tips
for creating an organized resume that will catch the eye of even the most
weary of HR associates:
* Start by sitting down with your old resume and a timer. Give yourself
fifteen seconds to read it. How far did you get? Were you able to read
the whole page? Besides 'getting your foot in the door,' your goal is
to create a resume that can be scanned top to bottom in less than 30
seconds. It must be organized to punctuate your strengths and highlight
your employment-related achievements. Next, give yourself another
fifteen seconds but this time skim your resume as if you were the
person doing the hiring. What parts stood out? Was it a bold or italic
phrase? Was it a tabbed column of words or a dollar sign? Think about
what words or sections jumped out at you, circle them in red, and use
them within the body of your new resume. For another opinion, take a
fresh copy and ask a friend or family member to do the same.
* On scrap paper, create a chart and write all of your past jobs across
the top of the page. Below each job title list at least 2-4
duties/accomplishments relating to the position. Analyze each of those
and ask yourself: Does this achievement have any relevance to the job
I'm now pursuing? Will the reader of my resume be impressed by the
money I've saved the company/the body of work I created/the skills I've
acquired? If your answer is yes, the next step is to prioritize those
duties and/or accomplishments.

For example, let's say you are an administrative assistant listing
relevant duties and achievements from your last job. This is your
newly-brainstormed, non-prioritized list:
* answered phone calls
* created and color-coded filing system to support VP of Sales
* coordinated supervisor's travel arrangements
* saved Sales department $12,000 by researching companies and switching
office supply vendors

Now, take a moment to prioritize your list. Which description should be
listed first? Which of the four will quickly catch the reader's eye?
Depending upon the type of job you're applying for, if you saved your
former company any money or increased their productivity in any way, that
fact should be listed first.

Now read the list:
* saved Sales department $12,000 by researching companies and switching
office supply vendors
* created and color-coded filing system to support VP of Sales
* coordinated supervisor's travel arrangements
* answered phone calls

Always position your strongest achievement first. Either they'll be
impressed and move on or think 'Wow!' and continue reading directly
below. An eye-catching first statement will positively affect every
statement listed beneath it so choose wisely.
* Use Bulleted Lists. As opposed to a sea of text, a bulleted list
focuses the eye to a specific area on the page. They are often used to
highlight your accomplishments instead of hiding them within bulky
paragraphs.

Example:

Saved Sales department $12,000 by researching companies and switching
office supply vendors. Created and color-coded filing system to support
VP of Sales. Coordinated supervisor's travel arrangements. Answered phone
calls vs.
* saved Sales department $12,000 by researching companies and switching
office supply vendors
* created and color-coded filing system to support VP of Sales
* coordinated supervisor's travel arrangements
* answered phone calls

Remember, one of your goals is to make reading your resume as easy as
possible. The reader's eye will dart straight to the bullet and focus on
what is written to it's immediate right. If you want to hold the reader's
attention, use 'action words' (verbs) next to a bullet (see example
above). Employing strong action words will assist the reader in
visualizing you carrying out those tasks for their company.

To an HR official, an organized resume can be interpreted as the sign of
an organized person. An organized person has the potential to have an
organized desktop, organized file cabinets and organized work habits.
These are skills and qualities that employers desire in an employee. If
you can present a company/organization with an organized resume it will
put you one step ahead of your less organized competition.

BONUS TIP:
* Do not make 100 copies of your resume until at least one other person
has reviewed it for errors and inconsistencies. Five minutes of
'editorial prevention' can mean the difference between getting an
interview or getting a rejection letter.

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About The Author

Stacey Agin Murray, professional organizer and owner of Organized
Artistry, LLC, transforms 'mess' into 'masterpiece' with patience,
organizing know-how, and a sense of humor. For more articles and to get
your FREE e-list of 'Top Ten Tips for Organized Living' visit
http://www.organizedartistry.com
stacey@organizedartistry.com