Six of the Best for a Winning Resume

1. Be CompleteMake sure that your resume includesmore collaborative culture within the team and
EVERYTHING your prospective employer would needredesigning the customer acquisition process.Now, if I
to know to be able to offer you an interview.It isneeded to make a decision on which of these
NOT unheard of for your carefully-crafted coverresumes would be worthy of an interview, guess
letter to be separated from your CV - if yourwhich one I would choose...5. Be ClearMake your
contact details were only on your cover letter, howresume as clear as you can in five ways:---> Font:
will they get in touch to arrange theUse an easily-readable font. Verdana is a classic, is
interview?Therefore, make sure that your CVeasily readable and is easy on the eye. Other
includes AT LEAST the following information:---> Fullfavourites are Times New Roman or Georgia. Try to
contact details---> The position you are applying forstick to one, or at most two font sizes (nothing less
or are interested in---> Employment history--->than 8 point and ideally nothing less than 10 point),
Personal and professional achievements---> Academicand do not over-style your text. Italics, bold and
and professional qualifications---> If not includedunderlined words on the same page look clumsy.--->
elsewhere, evidence of your key strengths that willFormat: Make the format of your resume as easy to
make you an irresistible candidate!And while we're atfollow as possible, and consider using horizontal rules
it, functional resumes are a big NO-NO!! As aacross the page to separate sections.---> Language:
professional recruiter, when I see a functionalEnsure that the description of your experiences and
resume, I think "What is this guy (or gal) hiding?". It'saccomplishments is as clear as possible. Test them
like smelling fresh paint on an old car. Just stick with awith your friends. Ask them whether it is possible to
chronological resume ALL THE TIME and paint anymake the descriptions clearer or more concise.--->
inconsistencies (e.g., career breaks) in as good a lightConsistency: Make sure that you are consistent in
as possible. This will ALWAYS be better than tryingevery way - this significantly increases readability. For
to hide it in the first place!2. Be RelevantSeasonedinstance, use a consistent date format throughout. If
recruiters are AMAZED by the number of applicantsyour first position is listed in the order of [date,
who have clearly not tailored their resume to the jobcompany, position, achievements] then make sure
they are applying for.Make sure that you put yourselfthey are ALL listed like that. When listing your
in THEIR shoes. Think about what they are lookingachievements, make sure that they all start with a
for in your resume.If, for instance, you are applyingverb. And make sure that font sizes and styles are
as a job as an office manager and your experience isconsistent for similar words - for instance if your
in telesales, make sure that you emphasise yourprevious employers' names is in bold, then they all
team leadership and time management skills.If,should be.---> Spelling and Grammar: Use your
however, you were applying for a sales job, thenword-processor's spelling and grammar checking
clearly focus on your ability to get leads, convertfacility. A spelling or grammatical error in a resume is
leads into sales, and sell more products to existingquite simply inexcusable and could be enough ON ITS
customers.OWN to send your resume to the bin. Once you've
In short, every time you mention something you'vechecked it on the computer, check it with someone
accomplished in your CV, make sure it will strengthenwho you trust to pick up any last gremlins in the
your case for being given an interview.If it doesn't,grammar.6. Be BriefIdeally, a resume should be just
CHANGE it or DELETE it!!3. Be RecentAs well as beingone page, although if you are applying for a job in
relevant, make sure that your resume content iswhich the assessor will need significantly greater
RECENT.If you are a seasoned manager applying fordetail on your past accomplishments, then the
the position of CEO in a large company, is yourresume can spread to two pages.
experience managing your university's theatreThough remember, this is the exception and not the
company particularly convincing?On the other hand, ifrule!!Wrap UpSo, now you have a winning resume
you are a recent graduate, that could be exactly theguide! Go back to your old resume and check it
right thing to put on your resume as it willagainst the six easy steps in the winning resume
demonstrate that you have some managementguide, and make sure your phone is on the hook for
experience. Just make sure that you back it up withwhen those recruiters call!Jonathan Lewis is the
specific accomplishments in the role!!4. Be SpecificBefounder and CEO of Careerfriend, a company
as specific as you can on how YOUR performancecommitted to helping people succeed in their dream
served the company you were working for.As ancareers. His extensive experience of attracting,
illustration, consider these four descriptions of anrecruiting, retaining and developing exceptional people
applicant's experience managing a sales function:--->in management consulting and investment banking
Responsible for 50 people in XYZ Corp's salesallows him to offer clear, actionable advice which has
department.---> Managed 50 colleagues in XYZ Corp'sa great impact on people either looking for new jobs
sales department to increase sales by 100% over 4or looking to succeed further in their existing
years.---> Led 50 colleagues in XYZ Corp's salesjobs.The Careerfriend website ( contains free career
department to increase XYZ's share of the widgetadvice articles to help people succeed in securing
market from 15% to 20% over 4 years.---> Leddream careers, from career and employer selection,
XYZ Corp's 50 strong sales team to increase XYZthrough resume and cover letter writing, to
Corp's share of the widget market by radicallyinterviewing, salary negotiation and ongoing career
overhauling the compensation structure, fostering adevelopment.