The submission of a resume ( Curriculum Vitae) is the first point of introduction between yourself and a prospective employer or recruitment consultant. Through this introduction you are highlighting to them why you are the best candidate for their position. Where you meet the requirements and where you have developed the skills that will both see you succeed in the position but also provide your new organisation with an employee that will meet their requirements and assist in achieving their future vision.
Through the words that you present in a resume you are writing a story and a proposal. The story of who you are and who you want to be but also a proposal of what you bring with you.
There are several places where people go wrong with their resume:
- Over or under sell their abilities
- Don't provide enough information about their experience or skills
- Try too hard to meet the requirements of the position that they do not highlight additional skills which show versatility and opportunity
- Provide too small an amount of information that it appears that they are hiding something
- Do not reconcile dates of their employment or identify reasons for large gaps
These are just some of the points that affect people when they are applying for a position and their resume. What a lot of people don't realise however is that they do only have 1 chance. If you submit an application for a position and are not successful or shortlisted in most circumstances an organisation may not accept a new application or resume from you for atleast 3 months. It also may mean that your original document is kept on an employment agencies database rather than a new and improved one.
Getting your resume right the first time will not only improve your chances of being short listed for a position but it will also ensure that you are noticed for any future applications or opportunities.
Don't get it wrong. Take the opportunity of getting it right the first time and don't regret it later.
