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Quick Tips to Improve Your Resume

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Here are five quick tips to help you write a resume that gets noticed.

Remove sentences that begin “Responsibilities included…” That works for a job description, but not a resume. Instead, list accomplishments. People who read resumes want to know what you’ve done.
When writing accomplishments, quantify them whenever possible. For example, “Increased sales 15%.” “…resulting in savings of $40,000.” “…doubling the number of customers.”
If you’ve had at least one job in your chosen field after graduation, list your education after your work experience.
Tailor your resume to fit the job you want. If you are responding to an ad, and you have six of the eight key requirements, be sure your resume says so. Don’t make the reader infer how competent you are. Companies generally spend less than one minute reading your resume during the first screening.
Make sure there are no typos or improper uses of words. One of the top traits that hiring managers want is excellent communication skills. Since spell checkers don’t catch everything, be sure to have someone else proofread your resume.

If you want to improve the odds that you’ll land a job you’ll really love, make sure your resume reflects your strongest motivations and talents. A career assessment can be an enormous help. Not only does an assessment identify what truly motivates you, it gives you words to help you explain it. Weave those words into your resume so that it accurately represents your potential.

For example, your assessment may show that you are “Methodical and thorough in routine procedures.” Use those words, link them to a specific accomplishment and you’ve just strengthened your resume. Try it with all of the traits where you score your highest levels of motivation. These phrases will stand out to hiring managers who value these traits.

- Henry Neils

Henry Neils is President and Founder of Assessment.com, the leading online career assessment company focused on helping employees and employers work together for their mutual benefit. Millions of people have gained personal insight into their careers by using the tools, such as MAPP™ (Motivational Appraisal of Personal Potential), provided at www.Assessment.com.

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