How long since you revamped your Resume? You can have a new-look Resume in 5 easy steps:

1. Analyse the job description
2. Select a resume format to suit the role
3. Include your achievements
4. Provide a summary
5. Spell and grammar-check twice

When you find a role that suits, ensure you have a good understanding of what is being sought:

• Identify key competencies
• Align your skills with the role
• Check your qualifications are up-to-scratch (especially if software versions are stated)
• Compare this role with similar roles being offered to get an idea of the needs in the marketplace
• Can you fulfil the expectations? (only apply if you can honestly say YES).

To sell yourself, you may have to invest some time and restructure your Resume for a particular role so that you don’t get rejected.

Let’s face it nobody would want to employ a developer with a skillset that was based on customer-service. You have to prove you can do the job.

Typically resumes are presented in reverse chronological order stating what you did in each role. However, in some cases you may need to target specific skills and it may be best to present your resume in a Skill-based format.

Choose the best format for the role and pay particular attention to the job description when tweaking your resume.

Reverse chronological format:

Use this format if your skillset lends itself readily to the role being sought.

Be sure to include:

• Job Title (do this in bold so it stands out)
  
• Name of Agency or Employer (get it right, and if the company has changed names or merged since you were employed, include the current name in brackets)
• Period of Employment, including at least the month and the year, if not the specific day (eg May 2002—Jun 2003)
• A breakdown of the role and responsibilities, stating software and hardware if relevant

Use this format if your skillset applies to the role, but cannot be easily identified in the reverse-chronological format.

This format works well when you need to sell yourself by a particular group of competencies.

Be sure to include:

• Competency Title (do this in bold so it stands out)
• A list of the tasks performed under each competency stating software and hardware if relevant
• An abbreviated Employer List (include a key in the footer of each page) so you can identify where you performed the skill
• Years experience (you may have a skill that has spanned 12 employers over 15 years)

Just stating a skill and the fact you have been employed for that skill is often not enough to make you stand out.

You need to list your achievements (personal or results gained in a particular role) up front so the employer already knows you get results. For example, a Project Manager who delivered a project ahead of schedule will definitely earn more respect than a candidate who just Project Managed. As would the Developer who implemented a cost-saving code reuse scheme that saved the organisation time, money and resource.

The best way to present your accolades is in a section called Achievements and Awards, where you just list them in an order that suits the role with the most relevant achievements are at the top. Don’t forget to mention any awards you may have got along the way--They all add to your credibility.

Don’t get caught up in having too many achievements, as this can also be a distraction. Just identify the most critical to your career.

4. Provide a summary

Another way to get your resume read is to provide a Summary or Overview section at the top of your resume. This just gives the reader an idea of what’s coming and may generate enough interest to get you short-listed.

This is also the best place to introduce some of your personal qualities that may not be highlighted in the body of your resume. It gives the reader an idea of your personality and may put you ahead of a competitor.

Even if you submit a cover letter ensure your summary includes:

• Key competencies for the specific role
• Some personal qualities or interests
• Focus areas, if you specialise in a few fields
• The number of years experience in each skill
• Types of organisations you have worked for before (telco, insurance, software house, finance, manufacturing etc)
• Identify the organisations you have worked with outside Australia for extra impact

Always polish your performance by spell-checking and grammar-checking your resume at least twice.

Don’t get caught using a US dictionary for a very Australian company. And likewise, don’t fall into the trap of using substitute grammar.

Get Noticed with a Cover Letter

Combined with your resume a cover letter is recommended. Many employers rate this high on the list when reviewing and selecting a short list of candidates for interview.

Consider these points:

• Keep it Short & Concise
• State the Position
• Explain why you want the job
• Clearly describe ways you will contribute
• Keep the tone and content professional