One of the biggest challenges in resume writing is making sure you get full credit for job responsibilities that go above and beyond your job title. You might have been in this situation. Read on…

Resume Writing: Have you ever been in this situation when job hunting?

Linda holds the position of Office Manager in a small company. Her job encompasses all of the typical duties of her job title. She also has many other responsibilities, such as working with her employer to set policies, communicating with freelance contractors on marketing materials, working with vendors and shipping companies, and following up on sales leads from trade shows. Her job title clearly doesn’t cover all of these job responsibilities.

Now that Linda is looking for a new job, several potential employers have questioned the differences between her job title and the position she holds in the company in terms of responsibilities. One or two have even wondered if she has exaggerated in her resume writing.

Another challenge when looking for a job is the situation where your job title is specific to your current job and company and is not generally understood outside of your company. This may lead to confusion about the nature of your job experience and responsibility.

Both of these situations cause challenges in resume writing, since they represent difficulties in correctly portraying your level of professional experience.   This can be a tough problem if you are committed to remaining truthful in your resume about your job title.   Unless you want to risk having your potential employer think you have lied on your resume, then remaining truthful is the best way to go. Therefore, you are faced with the decision of how to portray your job on your resume. Should you change your job title to better represent the job you actually do, or should you list your actual title and then try to explain what your responsibilities are? Let’s look at both options more closely.

Resume Writing: Upgrading your job title

Let’s first examine the option of changing your job title when writing your resume. If your title is unique or specific to your employer, look for an equivalent title that is well-known and accepted in your industry. As an example, say you provide customer support for a specific product or service, and your title reflects the name of the product or service. Try changing your job title to Product Support Specialist or Customer Support Representative in your resume.

Here is one note of caution in your resume writing. Don’t give yourself a promotion by changing your job title. Making it sound like you have more responsibility or authority or a much higher salary is dishonest and can destroy your credibility with a potential employer.

Resume Writing: Providing more detail about job responsibilities

The second option for handling the problem of your job title implying less responsibility than you actually have is to include your current job title but to also augment it with more information. For example, if you are a Customer Support Representative but also are responsible for new employee training, list your job title as Customer Support Representative / Trainer. After you list the job title, provide a strong description of your actual responsibilities, listed in order of priority and relevance.

This second option is more honest because you are only adding to your job title to add more information about your actual job responsibilities. If an interviewer were to run a background check or call one of your references, you wouldn’t have to worry about misrepresentation of your job title. Your credibility will not come into question.

Resume Writing: The Final Tip – Be Honest

One of the most important tips in resume writing is to keep your resume truthful. Present yourself honestly, focus on your strengths and positive traits, and you will have a winning resume that you can be proud of.

Resume Writing Format Rule #1 – Avoid resume templates

There are several rules which will help you create a winning format for
your resume. The first rule is to begin with an empty page. This means
stay away from templates which are available for Microsoft Word and
other word processing packages. These templates are widely used and can
make your resume look common and out-of-date. Your resume won’t stand
out when you use a template.

Another problem with using templates for your resume writing is that it
may not convert well for email and job website uploads. Instead of
using a template, search online for contemporary resume samples. You
will be able to find samples which are tailored for your particular
industry. Take your empty page and craft a resume that has all the best
features of the resume samples you find online.

Resume Writing Format Rule #2 – Keep it simple

A longstanding rule of resume writing says to keep it to one page.
However, if your educational background and experience are extensive,
it’s acceptable to add a second page. Don’t go beyond two pages! Before
adding that second page, see if you can leave out experience and skills
which aren’t relevant to the job you’re seeking.

Avoid adding images or pictures to your resume, even if you’re
seeking a position in a creative field. Save the creativity for a
portfolio of your work.

Resume Writing Format Rule #3 -  Keep the style consistent

One
inch margins at the top and bottom and sides of the page are standard.
Left justification of text is more modern looking than centered text.
Use a single font throughout the resume. A good font size to use is 12
point. Use a larger font size, such as 14 point, for your name and any
headings and make them bold and all caps. Avoid underlining text in
your resume, since this resembles a hyperlink.

Resume Writing Format Rule #4 -  Keep the layout neat

Watch your use of tabs and spaces. Use tabs instead of spaces for
alignment to help ensure consistency in the layout of your resume. As
you lay out the various parts of your resume, keep in mind that if it’s
being viewed electronically with a different version of software, some
aspects of the formatting may change. Margins may shrink or grow,
paragraph styles may differ, bullets may have an alternate appearance,
etc. By keeping your layout as simple and consistent as possible, you
can avoid some of these unexpected changes.

Creating a PDF version of your resume will allow you to avoid the
problems of layout shifting. Many PDF creation programs are available
online, such as the one found at www.cutepdf.com

When you’ve finished your resume writing, get the help of family and
friends. Ask them to review your resume and give you feedback on the
formatting. Email the resume and see how it looks in electronic form.
Also verify that a print version of the resume looks good, with correct
margins and well laid out content.

The most important thing to remember about formatting your resume is to
aim for a clean and simple presentation. Once you have that in place,
focus on the writing and content, and you’ll get the job you’re
seeking.

Choosing the best resume writing service company requires a little bit of homework.
That actually sounds a little more painful than it really is. All you need to do is access the Internet and search under “resume writing services.”

It is important to keep the 3 “Cs” in mind: Capacity, consideration and compensation.

The resume writing services firm preparing your resume should have the capacity to write a variety of strong, captivating resumes.

They should have consideration of the ultimate goal of your resume. Are you looking for a new job or to advance at your current employer?

Compensation is also very important. You want to be sure you are
getting the best value for your dollar. The cost of a resume is small
considering the money already invested in one’s job preparation (e.g.
$100,000 for four years of college). Just make sure to shop around a
few a resume writing services firms before making a decision. This will
help give you an idea of what you should be paying.

It is also important to ask to see samples of their previous work.
Ideally, they will have samples similar to the field you work in. Find
out if you will be able to communicate directly with the writer
preparing the resume. This communication can be vital in getting the
best resume′ possible.

How to get the most out of a resume writing services firm

A resume writing services firm will give your resume a polished and professional look
that most people cannot achieve on their own due to time or other
reasons. A good resume writing services firm has a staff of writers
with strong writing skills and experience in recruiting or human
resources. Resume writers with a background in recruiting or human
resources can help you create a resume that will get noticed and will
elicit a phone call from the hiring manager. These writers also know
the fine line between not including enough and adding too much
information on a resume.

A knowledgeable resume writing services firm will also recommend the
right format based on your experience and career goals. This extra
service by a resume writing services firm can make a significant
difference in highlighting your strengths on a resume. This is
especially important if you are transitioning in careers or have just
left the armed forces. It will also save you time, so you can actively
look for a new job or apply for advancement at your current employer.

Other helpful tools a resume writing services firm will provide:

• Interactive worksheets for submitting your resume information
• Toll free number for direct communication for technical assistance
• Cover letters and personal statements samples to enhance your resume

Many resume writing services firms guarantee your satisfaction or at
least offer an additional re-write at no charge. Once in a while
resumes need to be tweaked. This is an especially helpful service in
case you are not getting the results anticipated from your resume. But
beware of services that offer unusually inexpensive costs or make
promises that sound too good to be true. Remember that no resume
writing service firm can guarantee you a job from the resume they
prepare, but they can greatly improve your chances of getting that
interview.

Your first inclination may be to ask how you did, and whether you will be hired. However, it probably isn’t advisable to ask these questions directly during the interview. Instead, consider this phase of the interview as a chance to display your presentation skill by asking intelligent questions that show your interest in the position.

Here are some questioning techniques that will help you indirectly glean some information on your performance during the interview, as well as give you a chance to show off your presentation skill while learning information to help you determine if the company is a good fit.

Do Your Homework First

Prior to your interview, be sure to do your research. Being prepared is
of vital importance in displaying your presentation skill to your
potential employer when the time comes.

Look for as much information as you can find about the company from
their website and any articles you may find by performing a Google
search on the company name. Look for information such as company
direction and expansion, and begin to think about how this information
might affect you and the position you are interviewing for.

Write Your Questions Down

Interviewers usually have a written list of questions for you, so
why not do this same? Consider this opportunity as your chance to
interview the company.  The key to developing and displaying your
presentation skill to your potential employer is in letting them know
how much thought you’ve put into preparing for this interview.

Ask the Questions

When the interviewer gives you the floor, actually pull out your
prepared list of questions. This tells the interviewer how serious you
are about obtaining the position, and helps bolster your presentation
skill by showing the interviewer your ability to think ahead and
prepare for situations.
As the interviewer answers the questions, take notes to show that
you’re listening and are interested in remembering the answers. Ask
follow-up questions as appropriate.

“How Did I Do?”

While it’s generally unacceptable to ask how you did in an
interview, I do encourage asking what the next steps are and the
timeline for them.  The answer may help you figure out their reaction
to you.  If the interviewer takes the time to explain how many people
are left to interview and the remaining steps in the hiring process,
they are probably interested.  However, if he or she simply tells you
that you will hear from them, the outcome may not be as promising.

As for the “how did I do” question: if you are not awarded the job,
it is acceptable to directly but respectfully ask for feedback on how
the interview went. Consider sending a note similar to this:

Thanks again for the opportunity to interview for XX position in
your company. Since I was not arded the position, I would greatly
appreciate your feedback and any suggestions for improvement you might
have for me. This information will be of great value to me as I
continue my job search.

Who knows? Maybe this extra step will help keep you in contact with
(and in the mind of) the interviewer for future positions within the
company.

Why do we need a resume?

First of all, your resume is a tool to help you throughout in your career. You use a resume for job hunting, promoting yourself in certain social events, filling places for a course, and establishing your credibility in a particular field.

Since it is intended for others to understand and evaluate you against others, it has to be competitive in the sense that you are trying to distinguish yourself from others.

Should we write a short or a long resume?

The best resumes are short and concise. The people who will use your resume are not people looking to read a novel. They are looking to quickly learn about your qualities in order to answer their questions about you – and they want it fast! So you have to anticipate what their questions will be before you write your resume. If you do not know what they are looking for, you can never write a good resume.

How do we write a good resume?

Resume writing has to be specific and targeted for a particular purpose. That means you have to know your audience when writing.

How do I begin? 

Begin with your name and contact methods.

Should I include a photo in my resume?

It depends. If you think you are good looking, do include one. If you think that a picture would discriminate you from others, then do not include one. In general, in my experience as a recruiter I am usually more impressed with resumes that include photos because it helps me remember a stranger better. Place your bet!

Should I include information such as sex, age, etc.?

It depends. Some countries prohibit employers from soliciting this information during recruitment because it is a type of discrimination. But if you think you are at an advantage by providing this unsolicited information (for instance, if it’s obvious that your mature age will help in securing a higher chance of further interviews for a job requiring long management experience), then by all means provide this.

What is a career objective?
This is the section of your resume that comes right after your contact information. Write about how your career direction coincides with what the audience is looking for. Try to write your objective based on your past, present, and future goals. Demonstrate how you grew from (something) in the past to (something advanced) in the present, and how you are looking to attain certain future goals by shooting for (something even more advanced) now and in the future. 

For example: "Having worked for the past six years as an office administrator, I completed a part-time college degree and am now pursuing a Masters degree in Business Administration. I am looking to advance my career as a competent office administration manager by taking part in soft skills training such as presentation and leadership skills. I am seeking a new job challenge that allows me to work in a managerial role in which I will have the opportunity to lead people in accomplishing various and challenging office administration responsibilities."

Here are a
few tips to help you cope, and get started on your next executive
career search, if the axe happens to fall on you during the recession.

Don’t take it personally.
If the official position given for your lay-off is the recession, make
the choice to believe it. Sure, it goes against the grain, but it is
still the right attitude to hold. It is a far more empowering choice of
attitude than choosing to think that the boss has recommended you for
the axe for personal reasons, which is where the mind is likely to go
by default.  Yet, if you choose to take the recession-induced lay-off
personally, you might find your self-esteem shattered, which might lead
to anger and deep depression, making the task of starting an executive
career search and securing another job a difficult, if not impossible,
undertaking.

Don’t go into denial. The earlier you accept
the sad fact that the inevitable has happened, the better for you. 
Harboring the illusory thought that the company is likely to reconsider
their decision and reinstate you is likely to do you more harm than
good. Remember, everything happens for a reason, and your lay-off could
actually be a blessing in disguise. In fact, you have the power to make
your lay-off a blessing (at least in some way), if only you choose to
use that power. You could, for example, use the period between your
lay-off and getting another job for self discovery, which can then lead
to lifelong happiness.

Get Moving Immediately. A
recession-induced job loss is not like being fired for other reasons.
You don’t need to put yourself in an extended period of mourning and
torture yourself with extended soul-searching. Instead, you need to
start looking for other opportunities immediately; knowing full well
that getting a job in a receding economy is likely to take longer than
it would otherwise take. So the earlier you start the search, the
better for you. You don’t need a situation where you end up exhausting
all your savings before you get your next job and earn your first
paycheck. A good place to start is with an executive career search.

Improve on Your Skill Base. If
getting another job during the recession indeed takes longer than you
had anticipated, use the increased free time to update your existing
skills, and develop other skills relevant to your career. This is bound
to increase your marketability in the job market, and help your
executive career search go more smoothly,  as job tasks tend to get
consolidated (to save on the headcount) during the recession.  This
task consolidation in turn favors multi-skilled individuals. Moreover,
updating your existing skills and developing others is bound to keep
your mind occupied during the period between your lay-off and getting
another job, thus immunizing you from the negativity which tends to
take root during such hard periods.

As discussed in some of the
articles in this site, make sure to take classes and complete
certification programs to boost your skills in various areas. Refer to
the section Further Study on this website, to read more about this topic.

With
aid of these tips, you can keep yourself afloat, or at least keep your
head above the waters, even after falling victim to the recession axe.