by Sebastian Ramshackle III

Created on: June 10, 2009   Last Updated: May 09, 2012

Your most powerful weapon in getting the job you want is your resume and to make sure your resume works it is vital that you keep the question 'what is a resume for?' firmly at the front of your mind when putting it together.

What is a resume for?

A resume's purpose is very simple. An effective resume is one that gets you an interview. So an effective resume (or an effective CV if you're not from the US) is one that gets you past the application stage and selected for an interview. That's it. No more and no less. Once you got to the interview stage, your resume has done its job and its up to you to complete the task in person.

What makes an effective resume?

So what makes an effective resume? Its important to make sure that your potential employer gets a full and as a clear a pitcure of you and why you're the best person for the job as quickly as possible. Its also important to tailor your resume to the requirements laid down by your potential employer. Combining these two objectives requires thought and is a skill in itself.

Always give your potential employer the personal information they request. If someone asks for your date of birth, or whether you have a driving licence or own a car, or whether you have a passport, give them the information. If you don't and your potential employer wants to weed the number of applications down quickly, you've given them the perfect way to do it.

List your jobs in reverse order starting with your most recent or current job. This will allow your potential employer to see how your career has developed and will emphasise your most recent (and hopefully your best) position. It is acceptable to leave out minor jobs or short-term posts as long as they're irrelevant to the post you're applying for, but remember that, if you get the job and your employer wants to get rid of you, you may have given them a reason should they find out you've mislead them on your application.

Making the cut

When designing your resume, make sure that the information is easy to skim read. Most potential employers will not read each application in detail. Instead, they will flick through your resume in possibly less than 30 seconds and make a first cut of those resumes that are to discarded immediately and those that will be looked at in a little more detail. You want you resume to make it into that second cut and the best way of doing this is to develop a resume largely comprised of bullet points addressing:

* the main elements of your current role

* your major achievements in your current role

* points you wish to emphasise to your potential employer (such as external representation responsibilities in your current role)

* any publications or presentations you might have made

* any major contracts or research awards you have brought into your current organisation

* any external activities you might have undertaken including media appearances (not political one however), charity or community work and responsibilities

Finally, don't forget to give your contact details (email, cellphone and full postal address) and to provide the names, positions and full contact details (including email) for at least two and preferably three referees relevant to the post.

Send a clean copy of your resume and good luck!

Always but always send your potential employer a clean copy of the resume together with an accompanying letter addressing the selection criteria if one is requested. Then, cross your fingers, wish yourself good luck and wait for the positive response inviting you for an interview.

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