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Two Pages are all You Need to Shine: Making the Most of Your Resume and Cover Letter

Your resume and cover letter give you a first, and often only, opportunity to create a lasting impression in the mind of a hiring manager. So try to put yourself in this manager's position. She has an important task to complete as quickly as possible, but the same time, hiring and training are expensive and she wants to make the right choice the first time around. The candidate she's looking for can do the job, will stay long enough to help the company grow, and has a personality that matches the culture of the workplace.

So how can you convey these traits using only a one page cover letter and a brief, clear, well-organized resume? Here are a few tips and considerations to keep in mind.

Using your Resume to Stand Out From the Crowd

First, skip the outdated "objective" section that appears at the top of some resumes. Instead, begin with a brief summary that encapsulates the entire resume in about three sentences. Second, make sure your accomplishments are quantified whenever possible. If you raised company sales during 2011 and 2010, include a percentage or a dollar amount. Third, remove all vague language from your resume including empty buzzwords. At all times be concise, brief, and clear.

As for resume "don'ts", make sure your resume contains the truth and only the truth. Even if you selectively highlight certain accomplishments, never hide or fudge position titles or dates of employment. These are very easy to confirm, and a false note on a resume can have lasting repercussions. Finally, don't let a single typo escape your notice. Have your resume reviewed by at least three other people, ideally professional editors, resume experts, or both. FreeResumeBuilder.org can help. Contact us for a consultation and get ready to take your career to the next level.