What to put on a resume can be daunting, frustrating, and upsetting.

 

Will I cover all the bases? Will my accomplishments come across? How long should my resume be? And, what format? The stress and anxiety builds inside and doesn't subside.

Resumes scare even the most seasoned worker. There are rules, both perceived and real, that leave people confused and afraid to get it wrong.

Whether you need a job right now, or will want a job someday, having a resume you can be proud of is the first step to getting something that is bigger, better, and brighter in your career.

So, how can you simplify the resume process so it doesn't make you crazy anymore? I'll help by answering some of the biggest resumes questions that plague my clients these days.

Question #1. Do You Need A Resume?

Or, the real question which is; "Is Social Networking enough?"

Social networking will add to the effectiveness of your job search and online qualifications and make you easy to find on Google when recruiters or employers do a search on your name, but it will not replace the need for a good, professionally written and focused document that clearly showcases what you do clearly and well.

Online is good for viewing things quickly, but it will not substitute the need to hold something in hand that you can see and touch. (Maybe one day, but that day is not here yet.)

Question #2. How Many Pages Should Your Resume Be?

I do believe that 2 pages is the sweetspot. You want to showcase your skills, but you don't want to overwhelm the reader either. As long as what you write makes sense, then the number pages is not as vital as getting your accomplishments understood and acknowledged.

Question #3. Do You Need An Executive Summary In Your Resume?

An executive summary creates a purpose for your resume. It sets the tone, and what the reader will be learning about you. An executive summary helps you write a focused document, and it helps the reader understand where your resume is going and how your skills can be helpful for the organization and the position you are applying for.

They say you don't get a second chance to make a good first impression. Your executive summary is your opportunity to capture the reader's attention and give them a glance at the type of person you are, what makes you unique, and what you bring to the table.

Question #4. Do You Need Results On A Resume?

Results are an important component for creating a great resume. When you show results, the reader does not have to guess what you have done. Many people only list the work they have performed, but they miss the opportunity to demonstrate what happened as a result of the time and effort they have put in.

Potential employers want to know, "What's in it for me if I hire you?" They also want to make sure you are a good choice that will make their lives easier and better.

A resume makes a business care for a position. Make your case well and interviews should come. Make your case poorly, and people won't see what you want or how they can help you. State your case clearly, with conviction and purpose, and resume success will be yours.

 

Perhaps it is time for a professional assessment of your resume. Get 6-7 pages of tips and advice about exactly where you resume is lacking! Using the knowledge from this assessment and our professional resume templates, you can have a resume that gets you interviews this week. It is time to take action!.

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Deborah Brown-Volkman is the president of Surpass Your Dreams, Inc., a career- and mentor-coaching company that has been delivering a message of motivation, success and personal fulfillment since 1998. Deborah Brown-Volkman can be reached at http://www.surpassyourdreams.com via email at info@surpassyourdreams.com or at (631) 874-2877.

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