THE BILINGUAL JOB FAIR BLOG

Resume Tips: Write a Resume that is Memorable

October 16, 2009

Yesterday we discussed tips for writing a memorable cover letter.

After reading a candidate’s cover letter, a prospective employer will review a candidate’s resume next, which should offer more details on the credentials of the applicant.  Most resumes are chronological and offer the work experience, education, and attributes of the candidate pertinent to the job opening, and offer to provide the company references upon request.

It is very important to set yourself apart from other candidates by highlighting your accomplishments at previous jobs, like ‘exceeded sales goals by 15% each year’, or ‘achievements include…’, or ‘Was awarded employee of the year five consecutive years’.  In my opinion, another way to set yourself apart is by providing the reader of your resume with more details about who you are after work. The resumes that I remember the most are those that include experiences such as internships or volunteer work.  I also like to see the candidate’s involvement in clubs or organizations, especially if they don’t have much work experience yet.

Please remember that no personal data (such as age or marital status) is required for resumes.  Initially, job candidates should not provide the prospective employer with references or salary history.  The company will ask the job candidate for references and salary history when they are more interested in hiring the particular candidate.

A candidate needs to show the company his/her specific leadership skills and abilities in both the cover letter and in the resume.  Also, as I mention here and here, it is important to target and customize the resume and cover letter to a specific employer, rather than sending a ‘generic’ cover letter and resume. It’s the job of the candidate to impress the company, and a well-written cover letter and resume can create that exceptional and essential first impression.

Filed under: Resumes & Letters

Tags: bilingual skills, cover letter tips, Job Hunting, job search, resume tips