There are some techniques you can use in regards to how you position your information and even your formatting that can help.  Some things to keep in mind are to always be sure your details (especially on how to contact you) are clear and concise, and that your resume is focused on your career goals.  And of course hiring a professional writer is always a good idea - they are the experts and know what recruiters are looking for.

Here are some good tips - direct from a recruiter - on what you can do with your resume to make those 6 seconds really count:

How to Make Your Resume Last Longer Than 6 Seconds:
http://moneyland.time.com/2012/04/13/how-to-make-your-resume-last-longer-than-6-seconds/

Your Executive Summary is used to bridge the connection between your skills and experiences on the job and what benefits they could bring to a future employer. 

This important section of your resume should be used to showcase your abilities by demonstrating projects and outcome results that prove you are a possible asset to their company. Your potential employer wants to see just how you could contribute to their business.  What skills do you excel in?  What strengths do you possess? Addressing these questions will help when you are constructing your Executive Summary. 

Now how do you put it together?

Think of projects or feedback from supervisors that displayed how your efforts benefited the company in any way.  This could include your collaborative creative idea generation, keen project management abilities, or superior customer service delivery. Be sure to use and reference specific examples when you can.  But be very careful using wording like demonstrated or proven, especially if you can’t back it up.  However, just because you weren’t Employee of the Year doesn’t mean your endeavors and accomplishments aren’t resume-worthy. If you have recent and verifiable accomplishments, by all means, mention them!

When writing your summary be sure to incorporate important factors such as what the employer is seeking, key industry phrases, and what you will bring to the table. 

This information is usually outlined in the job posting, and it’s a good idea to review the description and weave the specific points through your summary.  But remember, do not get too bogged down with putting together the Most Perfect Executive Summary Ever … keep in mind it’s exactly what it says … a summary. Typically it is around 4-5 phrases long and can also be integrated with bulleted keywords to keep it brief and to the point.

Grammatically you want to construct the summary as if you are introducing yourself to the employer as another person, so definitely do not use “I” statements.  Referring to oneself in the third person may seem strange or out of place, but when you read the summary aloud it sounds like a very professional introduction.

Try to show performance driven results and be specific when putting your Executive Summary together, keeping in mind what your potential employer is looking for.  The more in sync your summary is with why you’re a good fit for the role and what the hiring manager is seeking, the greater the chances you will be considered.

What Recruiters Look At During The 6 Seconds They Spend On Your Resume:
http://www.businessinsider.com/heres-what-recruiters-look-at-during-the-6-seconds-they-spend-on-your-resume-2012-4

5 Ways To Invest Your Tax Refund In Your Career
http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-500395_162-57415552/5-ways-to-invest-your-tax-refund-in-your-career/

More Powerful Resolutions For The Savvy Job-Seeker
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/eileen-williams/more-powerful-resolutions_b_1196616.html

Why You Should Job-Hunt During The Holidays
http://www.businessweek.com/management/why-you-should-jobhunt-during-the-holidays-11302011.html

If you want them to read on, you need a great resume that will successfully bridge the connection between your skills and the benefits that they’ll bring to the company.

So what makes up a great resume?

To begin with it should be a well thought out, updated document that tells a story of your career. It should detail not only what you’re looking for in a position, but also what you’ve done, how you’ve done it, whom you’ve done it for and what technologies you’ve used to do it.

It should be crisp, to the point, creative and visually presentable! It should specifically demonstrate your professionalism. A resume is most often visually scanned, not read, by the employer. Therefore, it must be well organized and clearly laid out.  Always visibly include your contact details, it’s a good idea to begin with a personal branding statement, and you should be sure to list your experience in chronological order beginning with your most recent job role.

Learn how to emphasize your strong points and accomplishments.

Some keys to a successful resume are to “be yourself” and “be creative.” Sell yourself with achievement-based tasks and quantifiable examples of how your efforts benefitted the company.

You must use specifics to showcase your accomplishments.  How many clients did you bring in last quarter due to your project idea?  Sometimes you may feel you are boasting – but if you don’t tell a hiring manager about your achievements then they’ll most likely never know!

Use language that is persuasive and descriptive.

The use of action words will assist in the development of a clear, concise and businesslike resume. Don’t get too fancy by putting too many adjectives when one well-placed word will suffice.  Be clear – use conventional English. Use one font, and italics, bold, or underline should be used sparingly to emphasize a point.

Tailor separate resumes to fit each career field and position in which you are job searching.  For each one remember to ask yourself:  “Am I communicating my attained skills in a way that fulfills the needs of the employer?”  Take a look at the job descriptions.  What do they require?  Modify your resume to demonstrate your specific talents for what they’re looking for.

Never lie or be anything but believable.

You never want to give a reason why someone should not want to meet you face to face. Do not place any personal information in the resume that relates to the seven protected classes:  age, race/nationality, gender, religion, marital status, disability and sexual orientation, nor reference affiliations related to them.

When updating your resume it’s a good idea to write a rough draft and set it aside for a day or two.  When looking at it sometime later, you will have a different perspective and perhaps notice things you failed to see before. Make sure the resume is absolutely error-free. Proofread and have others proofread for you. An error on a resume is inexcusable. Double-check all spelling, grammar, layout and formatting for mistakes.

Hiring a professional resume writer is also a great option.

An expert writer has the experience to help you develop an effective resume.  They know how to successfully market your personal brand and promote your talents, and can assist in many other ways regarding your job search.  Working with a professional can be very beneficial.

Remember, a good resume is no guarantee of obtaining a great position; however, a poor resume may result in not even getting an interview.

We thought so!

Welcome to the News section of Inspired Resumes, where we offer expert resume writing tips and provide helpful information related to the job search industry. Our accomplished team is ready to assist and we know you’ll find Inspired Resumes to be a valuable resource as resume and job search specialists.

If there is a topic you would like us to specifically address just let us know, we welcome your feedback!