Resume Writing Tips That Speak To The Employer

It's critical that when you are writing a resume, that you target it specifically for the people who will be reading it, and for the position you are applying for. With that in mind, it's critical that you speak directly to your prospective employer, spark some interest in them, and really sell yourself in a very specific way for the position being applied for.

Below are 5 tips you can use when you are writing a resume to help you speak directly to the employer - the person you really need to impress if you want to end up in that hot seat for an interview.

Resume Writing Tip #1: Spark Interest - the employer has already told you what they are looking for, it's all contained in the job description. Make sure your resume speaks directly to what the employer is asking for. It might sound obvious, but most people write resumes as a bland employment history, they don't make it specific enough for the job they want.

Resume Writing Tip #2: Sell Yourself - Your resume is quite literally a sales ad, with you being the product on sale. Savvy sales ads don't play down relevant points, they emphasize them. They find a pain / pleasure point and they highlight their product as the solution. When you are writing a resume, you should think along the same lines - what problem is the employer looking to solve, and how do you provide a solution they can't ignore.

Resume Writing Tip #3: Focus On The Needs Of The Employer - you might think i am hammering this point home from different angles, and i am, because this point is important. The employer has needs, he doesn't really care if his applicants did some white water rafting 10 years ago, or enjoy long walks on the beach... he cares about his problems and his needs, and he needs to find an answer in one of the applicants.

Resume Writing Tip #4: Be Specific - Resist the urge to cover as much employment history and background activities that aren't related to the job description as possible. With too much filler content, or irrelevant information the employer will gloss over your resume and quite possibly miss the parts that make you perfect for the position. When you are writing your resume, make sure that every word ont he page is tightly focused ont he position you are applying for. No fillers, no fluff, no random facts.

Resume Writing Tip #5: Learn To Summarize - All to often people write a resume that consists of an employment history, and some skills and experiences they have. In a stack of dozens of applications how many do you think will get read all the way through? Research has shown that employers tend to scan resumes, and often only read the first couple of paragraphs to decide if the candidate is suitable. Use a highly specific summary of your most relevant skills and experiences, and focus on what you can offer to solve the underlying needs of the employer.

There are countless more tips and tidbits of advice I could offer on writing a resume, but following these 5 will certainly help you speak directly to the employer, and that alone is a powerful tool in your attempt to secure an interview and ultimately a new job or promotion.

By John W Robertson