Career Connections
I have been sending out resumes for a few months and have not heard back from many employers. Do you have any tips on updating my resume?— submitted by Valerie '84
The biggest mistake that most people make when writing a resume is that they think their resume is all about them. Not true at all! Your resume needs to be about the needs of the employer. Every time you send out a resume to a potential employer, you should tweak it just enough to make sure that it speaks directly to the needs of that company. Remember, it is a marketing tool, a sales pitch, and is the first impression that a company will have of you.
When writing your resume, spelling and grammar must be perfect. Have a few people double-check your resume for errors, as spell-check does not always pick up the errors. One mistake could cost you an interview. Do not go crazy with formatting; it should be easy to read and consistent.
Every word on your resume counts! Do not simply list tasks you did or skills you have. Instead, prove that you have the skills. For example, do not simply list that you know how to use PowerPoint. Instead, explain how you have used PowerPoint in complex presentations to groups of 20 to 50 potential clients. In as many places as possible, use numbers to quantify your accomplishments as well. Stating that you decreased costs by 36% while increasing customer satisfaction by 22% will impress an employer much more than simply stating that you have excellent cost management skills.
Every month the Alumni Association offers a one hour webinar on updating your resume with a review of your resume included. Check it out!