5 Questions to Ask When Writing Your Resume

Creating your resume is an important part of the job search process. Since most hiring managers only review each resume briefly, it needs to stand out. Small details like formatting and polish are important, as are direct language and specific information. You can make your resume stand out by describing the unique contributions you made to the company. Ask yourself these five questions when writing your resume:

1. Does my resume highlight my achievements? Recruiters look at each resume only briefly, so it's crucial that accomplishments are prominent. Consider a functional rather than a chronological resume if you have unique skills that are not reflected in your recent job history. A chronological resume lists jobs in the order they were held, with the most recent job listed first. Functional resumes focus on skills and achievements grouped together, with job titles and dates given as context. If you have limited administrative experience but have strong organizational skills, are a Microsoft Office expert, or speak multiple languages, a functional resume may be a good choice.

2. Is my phrasing effective? A resume is no place for flowery prose. Remember that your resume may only be viewed for a few seconds, so your writing style should be direct and accessible. Use impact statements, each of which should begin with a strong action verb. Use resume tips websites to identify fresh and descriptive action verbs. Some action verbs that apply to administrative jobs include: communicate, organize, manage, respond, compile, and represent.

3. Does my resume include quantitative data? Quantitative data, which can be defined numerically, gives a more compelling picture of your job experience than qualitative data, which tends to be subjective. If you created new office protocols that reduced the amount of paper waste, include an estimate of how much money you saved the company each year. This will have more impact on a recruiter than a qualitative statement such as "cost conscious." Or if you assisted in planning a major company event, include the number of guests and the budget you managed.

4. Does it look professional? Your resume should look polished and professional. If it doesn't, employers will assume you aren't, either. Resume tips websites are full of templates to help you create a document that represents you well. Stay away from images or illustrations unless they are highly relevant to the job you're applying for. Hiring experts say that cute graphics and other immature additions to your resume are a quick way to lose out on an opportunity.

5. Is it tailored to the job I'm applying for? You should evaluate your resume before every job submission to make sure that relevant skills and achievements are highlighted. If you're applying for a job with a lot of customer and client interaction, highlight your interpersonal skills. If you are adept at computer programs used by a particular employer, these should be listed prominently.

To write a resume that will show you in the best light and help you get the job you want, make sure to consider your phrasing, your formatting, and the way you have listed important information. Use these five questions as guides to create an effective resume.

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