Tailoring A Resume

In my last post I talked about the importance of the appearance of a resume.  In this post, I'm going to write about the importance of tailoring a resume to each job.  I've learned SO much about this, and I know I still have a lot more to learn.  For the longest time I thought it was fine to have the same resume for every job I apply for.  While it's fine to have one general resume when going to a career for or other similar events, it's far better to make sure a resume is tailored around a specific job if we're targeting one.

For example, if you're applying for a job that's looking for people who are strong leaders, good team members, great communicators and positive, outgoing people, you don't want to focus your resume on how awesome you are at programming computers and how well you can analyze things.  You want your resume to reflect the attributes and skills they are looking for, because that's what they need.

From now on I will have a master resume that has all of my different experiences, attributes, skills, etc.  When I apply for certain jobs I will pick and choose from my master resume in order to match what they're are looking for.  I'm sure I'll find my self adding more and more to my master resume as I fill out individual resumes.  I know this will help me a lot as I prepare to start my career soon.

Resume Appearance

Resumes are the ticket to receiving and interview.  Many companies receive thousands of resumes over a short amount of time, and they don't have time to read through each of them carefully.  Recruiters who read over these resumes are looking for distinct features in a matter of seconds.  If a resume lacks something they're looking for, they might just toss it aside and never look at it again.  Just the layout and design of someone's resume could determine whether he or she receives an interview.  

A resume must appear easy to read.  The page shouldn't be loaded with as many words as you can fit, and it should have proper spacing as to say, "I'm enjoyable to read."  No one is interested in reading a document crammed with word.

A resume must be well organized.  This is something that is easy to spot by only looking at the resume for a few seconds. 

Last, a resume must also clearly present the subject . . . YOU!  This is why it's important to have your name right at the top as the heading.  A resume is an attempt to sell your skills, qualities and abilities with others.  People must clearly see this document is about you.

Someone could have great skills, experience and accomplishments that could be brushed right passed because they didn't take the time to make their resume presentable.  I believe taking the time to make your resume appear easy to read, well organized, and clearly present the subject will be the key to having it read more deeply and, hopefully, get an interview.

I'm going to work hard on making my resume more presentable in order to receive more interviews.  I truly believe this will help me a lot in my job searching.

Presentation

When it comes to selling a product successfully, many of us have heard of the three P's.  The three P's are Price, Product and Presentation.  Price is a factor that has to be calculated based on different facts and goals.  A product must satisfy the needs of consumers.  Presentation, however, is where it all begins. Presentation is key to raising money for a product.  In order for customers to buy a product, the product must be presented well to them through commercials and even the way the product is packaged.  Being able to present well is important in so many aspects of life.  It is the key to success.

This last week I've learned how important presenting is, mainly within the business world.  Even without presenting and being critiqued, I know I have a lot to work on with my presenting.  Being a successful presenter really comes down to doing the little things.  All of us have seen those people giving a presentation who don't stop shifting their weight back and forth or playing with their jewelry.  Sadly, almost all of us have actions we do when we're nervous without even knowing we're doing something.  

The problem this causes when we do these little things is we distract our audience from what we just spent hours preparing. Sadly, these people now have no idea what we're talking about because they can't focus.

One thing I'm going to start doing as I prepare my presentations is imagine over and over again myself giving the presentation.  If I do this I feel like I'll get a grasp of where I want to go.  I don't want to just prepare my material and say I'll do this and say that, but I want to actually imagine being up there and being asked possible questions that may come and where I want to stand.  

If there's anything in this life that will help me be the most successful I can be, I know it's being a great presenter.