Performance Profile\/Summary<\/span><\/p>\nThis short paragraph follows the target job title and reflects the priorities and language used in typical employer postings for this job. Keep this summary to no longer than seven lines\u2014just list the “must-haves” of the job. Also keep it short because dense blocks of type make reading harder. If your profile\/summary runs longer, cut it into two paragraphs or one paragraph that’s followed by bullets.<\/p>\n
Professional Skills<\/span><\/p>\nList the skills you bring to your work that support the statements made in the preceding performance profile section. Prioritize the skills so the most important come first.<\/p>\n
Chronology<\/span><\/p>\nYour work history should start with your most recent job and work backward. Make sure each entry emphasizes relevant experience, contributions and achievements. Can you include endorsements of your work, if they are relevant? Leave out lists of references and only mention they are available upon request.<\/p>\n
Achievements<\/span><\/p>\nIn all of the above entries about your work experience, whenever you can, give examples of doing your job efficiently and well, and emphasize these achievements with examples. Quantify your examples where possible, and make them easy to read by listing them as bullet points. You can encourage a reader to call you for an interview by telling what you’ve done, but not explaining. Create a reason for starting a conversation.<\/p>\n
Education<\/span><\/p>\nYour educational record usually comes at the end of the resume and starts with your highest level of education. It should also include professional courses and accreditations that support your candidacy. However, if you work in education, law, medicine, sciences or other professions that put an emphasis on academic accreditations, your educational attainments will usually come at the beginning after the target job title and professional profile.<\/p>\n
Much of the success of a project is determined by the amount of preparation put into it. I once worked with a senior HR partner on a resume and strategic career transition, and, before the job was finished, we had completed eight revisions, each one giving us just a little tighter focus and that much more punch. It took about two and a half weeks but generated eight interviews in seven days, one of which landed her a senior position at Microsoft.<\/p>\n
Bestselling author Martin Yate, a career coach and former HR professional, takes your questions each week about how to further your career in HR. <\/em><\/p>\nFrom big issues to small, please feel free to e-mail your queries to YourCareerQA@shrm.org<\/em><\/a>. We’ll only publish your first name and city, unless you prefer to remain anonymous\u2014just let us know.<\/em><\/p>\n
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