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by benjamin boccas

The purpose of a resume is to get you in the door of a prospective employer so you can sell yourself. Today’s resumes are a bit different from resumes five or ten years ago. If you talk to current hiring professionals, they will tell you their biggest problem is getting through the hundreds of applications, cover letters and resumes they receive for even a single opening –so it’s important to present yourself properly.

Clear, Concise and Professional Resume Presentation

The current employment environment requires a laser sharp resume strategy that presents your credentials in a clear, concise and professional manner. Most important: you need to convey your winning qualifications on one page. Decrease the margins or use a smaller font (keeping it readable) if you must – but unless you’re a rocket scientist with a trail of patents pertinent to the job, keep your resume to one page. Why? Because almost every interviewer I’ve spoke to in the last two or three years tells me emphatically, if the resume is more than one page, they stop reading – or (even worse) it appears verbose or overwhelming and they won’t read it at all.

Times have changed. Some resume writers will even tell you the old opening “Objectives or Goal” statement is no longer welcome. It is considered by many to be unnecessary fluff. However, there are three critical elements that every resume should contain and a couple others that should be included if they are relevant to the position you are seeking.

1. Name, address, telephone number, email address
2. Experience (including dates and qualifications specific to the job you are seeking)
3. Education
4. Affiliations (only if relevant to the position you are seeking)
5. Awards, Activities and Special Interests (only if relevant to the position you are seeking)

Refrain from providing personal information or references unless specifically asked to do so.

Example of Job Requirements for a Specific Position

Wanted: Director of Marketing for billion dollar tier one defense electronics company. Extensive government experience and contacts required; technical background desired but not mandatory. Candidate must have a proven track record. Effective written and oral communication skills are a must.

An example of a current and effective resume follows; you are welcome to use this example and modify as you see fit for your own.

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James Trent

123 Job Street, Seekerville, FL 34681
Phone: (999) 999-9999
Email: jamestrent@gmail.com

Experience

Jan 2007-Present: Marketing Director, Gemini Defense Electronics, Connector, FL

Responsible for all aspects of marketing to and contracting with the United States Army, Navy and Air Force to supply defense electronics with an emphasis in navigation control systems. Direct staff of eighteen marketing representatives, contract administrators and sales engineers. Successfully negotiated over billion in contracts in the last eight years, including 0 million in the current year.

Apr 1998-Dec 2006: Senior Sales Engineer, Futuristic Electronics, Passive, FL

Supervised staff of six sales engineers as liaison between technical staff, marketing staff and end user customers to win new business in the defense electronics marketplace. Developed significant contacts throughout the defense electronics industry in pursuit of new contracts.

Feb 1995-Mar 1998: Electrical Engineer, Beginners Engineering, Inc., Current, FL

Developed twenty new electrical designs for navigation systems and ancillary equipment in accordance with customer specifications. Participated in research team activities that resulted in three US Patents and one individual US Patent (listed below).

Education

Masters of Electrical Engineering, Static State University, Hertz, GA – 1994
(Apprentice Engineer, Static State Engineering Cooperative – 1922-1994)
Bachelor of Electrical Engineering, Resistor State University, Conductivity, FL – 1992

Affiliations

IBAE (Member 1995-present)
Toast Clappers Club (Member 2003-present; Chapter Chairman 2008-2009)
American Manager Affiliates (Member 2005-present)

Awards, Activities and Special Interests

Electrical Engineer of the Year, Volt Magazine – 2006
US Patent #99999999, Greatest Invention of the World – 1996
Lion and Lamb Achievement Award for New Ideas – 1992

References furnished upon request

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