The importance of a Good Resume
Everyone knows the power of a job résumé. One that’s well-written and has action-inspiring language will accomplish its intended purpose. It will be the first impression that makes a positive impact on a hiring manager and pique enough curiosity to facilitate an interview.
Unfortunately, too many job candidates believe that an internet-based template will do the trick. What most job applicants fail to realize is the origin and the proper use of this important document. Did you know the word “résumé” actually derives from a French word which means “to summarize” as well as a Latin phrase which means “to resume a course of action?”
Another way of putting it, this document, we commonly refer to as a résumé, is supposed to act as a synopsis of a person’s work history and qualifications to go from one position to another. In order for that to work its magic, the document itself must succinctly and honestly prove it worth the time and effort of scheduling and conducting an interview.
Facts, Figures, and Action
Passive, generic language is where too many job seekers go wrong. They rely on cookie-cutter sentences and then wonder why no company is calling them for an interview. A résumé must demonstrate, without exaggerating, competence, confidence, and qualification.
For instance, “managed the staff, handled the budget, and stayed on schedule,” is not going to inspire the reader. Instead, that phrase will only spawn a series of questions. Questions like, “how big was the staff?” “What was the size of the budget?” “What was the schedule?” More importantly, “why should I care if the applicant didn’t bother explaining those assertions?”
The person reading bland and uncertain statements simply won’t take the time to seek out the answers from those questions, because those are rhetorical, or fodder, only taking up space on a sheet of paper.
Why a Solid Résumé is Key to Success
Without the right phrasing, plenty of facts and figures, straightforward yet intriguing language, a job applicant’s résumé won’t make it past the first set of eyes and no more than 30 seconds to a minute consideration will be given before it’s put aside for good, never to again be picked-up.
That’s right, your résumé only has a few precious moments to wow. It must make a decided impression immediately by standing out from the rest. In a highly competitive job market environment, each second counts. Any boilerplate entries, devoid of true communication and insight, will be a barrier to getting an interview, even the courtesy of a phone call. Another way of putting it, an amateurish résumé will not be taken seriously, no matter how qualified the applicant actually is and no matter how much of an asset the candidate would be.