Brand New Me

So you need to get your resume jazzed up and get some job applications out there? How long have you been putting it off?
No-one really likes doing their resume. It’s hard to write about ourselves at the best of times, and when we are putting ourselves on the line in a job application is not the best of times. To make it even worse, the rules keep changing: “Do I include my hobbies? What about a career objective? Shorter or longer?”
The contemporary approach to resume development uses principles that normally apply to branding: being clear about the image or perception you are trying to create, and presenting your material so that it reinforces that perception.

5 fresh tips for getting started

1. Make sure your resume is targeted to the job for which you are applying – even small adaptations make it look tailored.
2. Focus on your achievements: the results you got and how you got them have more impact than listing your old job responsibilities.
3. Use key words to maximise your chances of being pulled up in a search – often resumes aren’t looked at until they’ve been selected by a search.
4. Be concise. Show that you know what’s important by leaving out anything that’s not.
5. Think about presentation. It’s all about creating an impression.