With any guide to resume writing it's important to realize that relevant content is not enough on it's own to be successful. Why? Hiring managers don't have the time to read every resume from start to finish. In fact most only scan a resume and look for the buzz words that help them make a decision. This all happens usually within the first 20 seconds or so.

This quick guide to resume writing focuses on 3 areas that can give you that competitive edge.

1. Use Bullet Point Sentences

The first part of this guide to resume writing is to use bullets with short sentences to structure the body of your resume. The main selling points of your resume need to be clear and quick to scan. Don't worry about the specific points; you will go into the details during the interview stage.

2. Use Action Words

Any guide to writing a resume would not be complete without mentioning action words. Action words make your resume stand out from the crowd. So use words like, prepared, managed, developed, championed, monitored, and presented. Don't over use the same verb over and over.

Many resumes are now scanned electronically. The computer is programmed to pick up on the keywords that have been picked by the hiring manager. These are action keywords that relate to the position so not including them or using shortened acronyms could mean your resume is disregarded as a "no-match".

3. Use Facts & Figures

When you build a resume, use dollar totals, numbers, and percentages. Theses stand out in the body of a resume and hiring managers like to see them in the resume. Look at the examples below.

Example 1

Bad: Account manager for building company. Good: Managed 15 strategic accounts billing in excess of $10 million annually.

Example 2

Bad: Sold chip sets to clients located in the Midwest. Good: Increased sales by 17 percent in a five-state territory.

If you follow this short guide to resume writing, your resume will be on the way to standing out from the rest.

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