Show-Don't Tell By Amy Wilson - ResumeWriters.com

A Winning Resume Strategy

At ResumeWriters.com, we always get asked what the number one, most effective strategy is for writing a job-winning resume. In many ways, the best strategy is also the most simple: show, don't tell.

• Avoid empty phrases. Lots of resumes are filled with empty, mostly meaningless phrases like: "Good worker." "Dedicated professional." "Quick-learner." What do these phrases mean, exactly? Isn't it better to show conclusively that you possess certain qualities rather than weakly listing them? Take the following example: what if you want to show the employer that you're "a good team player." Instead of merely telling them you work well in a team environment, why not show them? If you can list various projects, positions, or specific instances where you did succeed as a quality team member, doesn't that seem more effective? Saying "Contributed measurable productivity gains as a member of the networking protocol team," is showing something specific, not just saying something vague. Try to make your skills and qualifications explicit in your resume. Show your qualities in action, don't just list them.
   
• Make it tangible. The more often you can list measure, tangible and quantifiable accomplishments, the better. Don't be afraid to use numbers and percentages. If you are trying to show you're a good salesperson, try listing things like, "Grew southern market share by 12%," or "Landed contracts a, b and c, worth more than $2 million each." Numbers, figures, percentages... these all show results, and results are what get you hired.
   
• Construct a logical career progression. In the same ways that companies always want to show their stockholders that they are continually growing and innovating, you should make a point to show career growth. Wherever possible, try to present your career history as a progressive narrative, where you are continually assuming greater responsibility and continually generating new successes. A dynamic and innovative employee is always in demand.
   
• Make your accomplishments support your career progression. Think of your career history as a funnel. Your most recent positions are the wide end of the funnel. You want to include as much detail about your recent positions as you possibly can. The further back in your career you go, the less detailed you have to be. This is the narrow end of the funnel. Remember, your resume is a "what-have-you-done-lately" document. Show a growing number of accomplishments/skills/accolades, culminating in (hopefully) a highly detailed recounting of all the wonderful things you've done in your most recent positions.

-Amy Wilson
www.ResumeWriters.com
ResumeWriters.com is the largest network of independently contracted resume writing professionals on the Internet.