How To Write A Winning Resume
Link to El Nuevo Herald column in Spanish: Here
The statistics are absolutely convincing. According to every major poll addressing what Americans consider to be the nation’s greatest problems and priorities, without exception, the number one answer is jobs and the economy ( www.pollingreport.com/prioriti.htm). We are living in what many consider to be the worst job market in the United States since World War II. According to a May, 2010 report by the Economic Policy Institute, “It will take years for the labor market to recover from the damage induced by the recent recession. While monthly job losses almost surely peaked in 2009, the unemployment rate will likely peak in 2010 (CBO 2010a). In March, the unemployment rate reached 9.9% and the overall economic cause is simple: firms are not hiring quickly enough, as indicated by the 5.6 job seekers per current job opening. The 290,000 jobs gained in March, the largest monthly job gain in three years, represent a baby step in climbing out of the jobs hole of 10.7 million that remains in the recession’s wake.” Last week the U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that the unemployment rate amongst Hispanics (12.4% – the second highest amongst all demographic groups) remained unchanged in the month of May.
If you find yourself in the position of having to look for a job, consider this: You are not alone. While there’s always something positive to learn from your experience, it’s probable that you weren’t the cause of your unemployment, as is the case for millions across the country. The problem is bigger than all of us. Your past, however, does not equal your future. The job market may be extremely competitive, but it’s not impossible to overcome. The key to finding your next job is getting in front of as many potential employers as possible, and to do that you absolutely must stand out in the crowd.
How To Standout With A Winning Resume
First impressions are everlasting. Your resume is the single most important document in your search for the perfect job because it introduces you to potential employers. The key to success in today’s difficult labor market is creating a resume that will help you stand out in the crowd by creating the best possible impression. The average employer spends less than 20 seconds looking at a resume, yet within that short time frame they will develop their first impression of you and make a quick decision. This decision is normally based on the overall appearance of your resume, the format, your use of proper English and grammar, and your ability to clearly and effectively communicate your qualifications – the main selling points you have listed at the top of the resume.
While your resume is your first point of contact with a potential employer, and your initial tool for attracting attention, the purpose of the resume is not to get you the job, but to get you an interview. Potential employers will rarely hire an applicant from a resume alone. That decision is made only after an interview process, but employers who receive a winning resume will actually look forward to meeting and interviewing the candidate with great anticipation, while the less impressive, poorly-formatted and poorly-written resumes don’t stand a chance.
Keys To Writing A Winning Resume
Cover Letter: A well-written cover letter goes hand in hand with your resume, and is extremely important to creating the right first impression.
Objective: This is where you explain your professional intentions and interests. Be as clear and as specific as possible about the position you intend to fill and your ability create value in that position.
Technical Skills and Proficiencies: Focus on professional skills that are transferable. If you are proficient in a particular computer program, such as Microsoft Excel or PowerPoint, this is the appropriate section to list that. Also be sure to let potential employers know if you are fluent in more than one language.
Experience: Begin this section with your most recent job. Include the company name, location and describe your responsibilities in detail.
Education: List in chronological order starting from most recent. Include the name of institutions you attended, the school’s location and the degree awarded – or the date a degree is expected to be awarded in the future.
Awards and Accomplishments: As hard as it might be to write about yourself, consider that potential employers are particularly interested in an applicant’s accomplishments. List your awards by name and date received, and your accomplishments chronologically.
If you feel you need help writing your resume, or if you would like to improve your existing one, you can download a free resume template in both English and Spanish from my website, www.mgtunon.com. These templates will prompt you to fill out the required information and ensure that your resume will be properly formatted in either language, but keep in mind that most potential employers will require that your resume be in English. If you feel more comfortable writing in Spanish, there’s a translation, editing and formatting service also available which will help you stand out in the crowd with a winning resume written in correct English.
