Research shows that only one interview is granted for every 200 resumes received by the average employer. Research also tells us that your resume will be quickly scanned, rather than read. Ten to 20 seconds is all the time you have to persuade a prospective employer to read further. What this means is that the decision to interview a candidate is usually based on an overall first impression of the resume, a quick screening that so impresses the reader and convinces them of the candidate’s qualifications that an interview results. As a result, the top half of the first page of your resume will either make you or break you.

The resume is a tool with one specific purpose: to win an interview. If it does what the fantasy resume did, it works. If it doesn’t, it isn’t an effective resume. A resume is an advertisement, nothing more, nothing less.

A great resume doesn’t just tell a prospective employer what you have done but makes the same assertion that all good ads do: If you buy this product, you will get these specific, direct benefits. It convinces the employer that you have what it takes to be successful in this new position.

It is a mistake to think of your resume as a history of your past, as a personal statement or as some sort of self expression. Sure, most of the content of any resume is focused on your job history. But write from the intention to create interest, to persuade the employer to call you. If you write with that goal, your final product will be very different than if you write to inform or catalog your job history.

We do not recommend including anything about Hobbies, Personal Interests or References

1. The resume is visually enticing, a work of art. Simple clean structure. Very easy to read. Symmetrical. Balanced. Uncrowded. As much white space between sections of writing as possible; sections of writing that are no longer than six lines, and shorter if possible.
2. There is uniformity and consistency in the use of italics, capital letters, bullets, boldface, and underlining.
3. There are absolutely no errors. No typographical errors. No spelling errors. No grammar, syntax, or punctuation errors. No errors of fact.
4. All the basic, expected information is included. A resume must have the following key information: your name, address, phone number, and your email address at the top of the first page, a listing of jobs held, in reverse chronological order, educational degrees including the highest degree received, in reverse chronological order.
5. Jobs listed include a title, the name of the firm, the city and state of the firm, and the years. Jobs earlier in a career can be summarized, or omitted if prior to the highest degree, and extra part-time jobs can be omitted.
6. It is targeted. A resume should be targeted to your goal, to the ideal next step in your career. First you should get clear what your job goal is, what the ideal position or positions would be. Then you should figure out what key skills, areas of expertise or body of experience the employer will be looking for in the candidate. Gear the resume structure and content around this target, proving these key qualifications.
7. Strengths are highlighted / weaknesses de-emphasized. Focus on whatever is strongest and most impressive. Make careful and strategic choices as to how to organize, order, and convey your skills and background.
8. It has focus. A resume needs an initial focus to help the reader understand immediately. Don’t make the reader go through through the whole resume to figure out what your profession is and what you can do.
9. Use power words. For every skill, accomplishment, or job described, use the most active impressive verb you can think of

1. Arrive 15 minutes early.
2. Dress professionally and conservatively. Navy or dark gray business suit for men. Conservatively cut business dress or suit for women.
3. Introduce yourself with a firm handshake and sincere smile while maintaining eye contact.
4. Always be positive and never speak negatively about a prior employer.
5. Listen carefully to questions and don’t be afraid to ask for clarification if needed.
6. Be honest. If between jobs or out of work force for a while, simply say so. State reasons – more schooling, foreign travel, family care, attempt to change careers.
7. Be clear and concise with your response.
8. Always be confident and enthusiastic.
9. Please take these notes to the interview and practice the anticipated questions that may be asked and your answers to those questions. Be sure to practice these steps out loud to yourself before the interview.
10. What are the duties and responsibilities of the position I’m applying for? This is an excellent icebreaker question for the hiring authority and a great start to a successful interview. What percentage of my job is dedicated to administration and management? (This should = 100%.)
11. What is my number one priority that has to be done before I leave each day? Why? (Priorities are personal.)
12. What are the goals for the position? What obstacles would prevent me from reaching my goals?
13. What are the short and long term goals set for the person in this position?
14. Have questions for the hiring authority. Questions must be written out before the interview, while avoiding the topic of compensation and benefits for the first interview.
15. Salary - this is a trap question. If the question is brought up, a very good response is "I would like as much as the position will pay" OR "I am currently making $_____. Although I would like an increase, I don’t know enough about the opportunity to answer that fairly." Be very careful that you don’t short yourself. Be sure to keep in mind your base salary, performance bonuses, benefits, etc.
16. Ask for the job! "I haven’t interviewed in a while, what is the next step? Can we conclude our business today if all goes well?" OR summarize what you’ve done that ties in with the new position and ask, "Do I have the qualifications you’re looking for?" Then remain silent for an answer. If the hiring authority says, "I’m looking at other people," you say , "How do my qualifications match the people you’re considering."