Your Resume – The Ticket to an Interview

Your resume is not a job description it is a ticket to an interview!

A resume is a very important tool in your job seeking process.  It can be considered as your first impression with your next possible employer.

Depending on the size of corporations you have targeted, a Human Resource Department may have as many as 30+ recruiters attempting to sort through THOUSANDS of resumes for a number of open positions.

Or, on the other hand, if you have targeted smaller corporations you may have one recruiter sorting through hundreds of resumes for one specific position.

In either situation, you can see why your resume must get attention in order for hiring authorities to select you to have the chance to interview for their job opportunity.

Here is a very BASIC list of rules to follow when creating your resume:

1. Use a good brand of paper.  I recommend using white, off-white, beige, or light gray.  Bright yellow does catch the eye, but it also can be conceived as a bit too much.  The content is much more important than the paper.

2. If at all possible try to keep your resume to one page.  If you have 20+ years of experience it can be difficult, do the best you can.

3. This suggestion relates to question #2.  If you do have 20+ years of working experience, the general rule is to only go back ten years and list that experience.  There are exceptions to this rule.  For example, if you had one of your most successful experiences 15 years ago and that experience relates directly to the positions you are targeting, add it to your resume.  Another example would be that you have recently had numerous jobs in a short period of time, but you have more stability earlier in your work history, add it to your resume.

4. Make sure that all of your contact information is current.  List your cell phone as well.

5. Make sure that you have someone else proof your resume for any type of errors.

6. Your objective is very important.  It should be short, direct and tailored to the specific position and company you are applying for.

7. In your skills section, be TRUTHFUL!  If you misrepresent yourself and get hired, you will be job searching again soon after your start date.

8. Start with your most recent work experience and work backward.

9. List the name of the company you worked for and underline it.

10. Under the company name put your title.

11. If you have job stability, put your dates where they stand out.  There are recruiters that actually look at the dates before anything else.  Lack of past job stability is one of the most common screening factors on a resume.  If you lack stability then try to make the dates smaller or somewhere where they are not a focus point.

12. Under your title give a short job description of what your duties and responsibilities were.

13. THE MOST IMPORTANT PART OF YOUR RESUME IS:  YOUR ACCOMPLISHMENTS!

Once you have given your responsibilities for each position you have listed on your resume, then you need to list under each one three to five accomplishments.

When a recruiter/hiring authority looks at numerous resumes, the responsibilities for many of the applicants may be very similar and sometimes look exactly the same.  Therefore, if YOU have an ACCOMPLISHMENTS section, YOU WILL STAND OUT!

Accomplishments can be any of the following: tasks you have mastered, how you saved your employer time or money, any awards you received, any promotions, contests you have won, etc.

The simple structure of a resume:

– Contact information

– Job objective

– EDUCATION, SKILLS & WORK HISTORY are completely dependent upon where YOU personally offer the most strengths.

– Finally, at the bottom – References Upon Request

MAKE YOUR RESUME A WINNING TICKET!

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What Clients Say About Patrice & Associates

  • Chris Bousquet is Invaluable!

    I want to express my deepest gratitude for the support and guidance provided by Patrice & Associates during my job search. I was greatly impressed by the professionalism and commitment of your team in helping me find the right job opportunity.  In particular, I would like to highlight the invaluable assistance provided by Chris Bousquet, who stood by my side every step of the way in the search and interview process. His dedication and expertise were instrumental in achieving a successful transition to my new position.

     

    Once again, thank you for your assistance and commitment to my professional career. I wish you and the Patrice & Associates team continued success in your work.

     

    Sincerely,

    Miguel Pulla

    Chris Bousquet is Invaluable!
  • Clint Carpenter's standards of Recruiting are TOP NOTCH!

    To begin, Clint Carpenter was the ONLY recruiter I didn't get a generic template e-mail from. He actually took the time to look at my complete resume. In the first few days we spoke, he really took the time in our conversations to get to know what was important to me in a future job as well as what I knew I did not want. He checked in with me every day, whether it was to help coach me for an interview or just follow up if I'd gotten feedback. When I finally did get the offer I wanted, there was a snag and the paperwork with the company was delayed by 2 weeks. It was incredibly frustrating, but Clint called or texted me EVERY single day to encourage me and make sure I was ok as well as doing whatever he could from his end to help facilitate the paperwork. I never felt like I was alone in the job search process. Clint is professional, positive and you can tell he genuinely loves helping people. I would recommend him to anyone!!!!    

    Lethr' Rothert

    Clint Carpenter's standards of Recruiting are TOP NOTCH!
  • Dave took the time to get to know ME, who I am, my experience and my goals

    Dave Evens has been working with me these past couple months as I transition from a restaurant owner toward a corporate environment.  Along with this, I'm relocating from TN to NY.  I feel that he was able to capture my unique experience in the updated resume he created for me.  Dave was great with communicating options and feedback from all sources. It was a true pleasure to work with him.  While we were unable to find a good fit for me, I am blown away by Dave's approach and enthusiasm.  I found a great job, on my own, but I do not feel that reflects poorly on Dave nor Patrice & Associates. When, again, I enter my next job search, I will be sure to reach out to Dave first!

    Sincerely,

    Neil Archibald

    Dave took the time to get to know ME, who I am, my experience and my goals
  • Mike Buterbaugh is genuine and caring

    I honestly didn't know what to expect from Patrice & Associates. Upon my first time speaking with Mr. Mike Buterbaugh, I was instantly put at ease with his genuine approach to helping me find the best fit for me overall in my next career decision. Not only did he coach me on how to drastically improve my resume, he also had me an interview within a couple of days. I have never had an experience quite like this during a job search, but I would definitely give 5 stars to this company and their recruiting team. I have gained a new career that not only met my salary expectations, but balances with my personal life as well. Thanks again for your help, and although I don't plan to be on a search again, if the need arises, they will definitely be my first point of contact.

    Eula

    Mike Buterbaugh is genuine and caring
  • Patrice & Associates Video Client TestimonialsClint Carpenter was wonderful!

    I worked with Clint Carpenter on getting a job. Clint did an amazing job helping me with my resume, walking me through the process and giving me help and interview tips.  He was in communication with me everyday about what was going on and keeping me in the know. I would call on Clint again if I ever needed him!  

    Gary Summers

    Clint Carpenter was wonderful!