Tips of the Trade
Targeted Resumes ö customized for optimal results

In search of a job? Sending out countless resumes with little or no response? All too often job seekers fall into the trap of sending out hundreds of resumes and then become baffled by a lack of response or interviews. Typically, the eager candidate creates a one-size-fits-all resume and cover letter and sends it off to multiple companies for a variety of positions. This is a very common and very critical mistake. The goal: make every letter and resume different to match the particular culture and needs of each organization.

The key element is research - doing everything you can to find out about an organization and the job it has open -- through the Internet, your personal network, newspaper articles, etc. Cater your resume to the specific company and position - make sure it is well researched and perfectly tailored to each position. It's painstaking, but you will realize much better results.

Here are some tips for helping create a resume for optimal results:

1. Include a career or job objective. This summary statement captures the essence of your experience, goals and why the potential employer should be interested in reading the rest of your resume. A job summary or career objective is the first meaty part of your resume, immediately following all of your pertinent contact information. Tip ö make sure the summary matches the position or career you are supplying your resume for. If it doesnât, cater it so it does.

2. List relevant work experience. Remember that you do not have to present your entire work history. Instead, add a paragraph headed ãPrior relevant experience.ä This is especially useful if you are concerned about age discrimination or a job-hopper image, but also allows you to only list experience that is related to the position you are applying for ö resulting in a more targeted resume.

3. Quantify your successes. Putting numbers in your resume gives employers concrete examples of just how valuable you can be. Do not simply say you initiated cost savings; tell them how much you saved.

4. Highlighting studies or work experience? Recent graduates or people with little job experience should highlight academics. Meaning, lead with your education and follow with experience. The reverse is true if you have a couple of years of solid work experience under your belt. Save the education experience and relevant skills and training for the end. Tip ö do not include personal information, such as marital status, age or ethnicity unless it is pertinent to the position you are applying for.

5. Minimize the job-hopper image. Combine several similar jobs into one category or timeframe. For example:
   Team Leader (1993-1995): Company x, Company y, Company z. Include description of job skills, accomplishments and pertinent qualities.
   You can also choose to exclude some of the less important, briefest jobs. But do not exclude a job, even when it lasted a short time, if that was where you acquired important skills or experience. See tip number two.

6. Always send a cover letter. Never mail your resume without a cover letter or an introductory email message. Once again, focus on meeting the needs of your target audience. Get specific. If an advertisement states that a pet food distributor is looking for a copywriter who specializes in community outreach programs, play up that fact in your cover letter. You might choose to mention, ãMy resume provides reference to multiple successes I've had creating powerful messages for community relations initiatives for the Humane Society and Petland. I will be pleased to provide more detailed information during our interview.ä This type statement is an excellent way to inform your prospect that your resume is just the tip of the iceberg.

For more information about customizing your job search, visit PBFNâs Ask the Experts.

Coming soon! PBFN's Executive Career Center...allowing PBFN members to search for a job, post resumes, take assessment tests, request resume assistance, sign up for one-on-one career consultations, and more. Call 877.723.6674 for more information.