Top 5 Resume Questions Answered

Employee & Job-Seeker Tip
TOP
5
RESUME QUESTIONS ANSWERED
Mark Swartz,
Career Coach

WHAT’S THE REAL PURPOSE OF A RESUME?
If you’re fairly new to job searching, you might have been led to believe that a resume is the document that gets you hired. That’s not precisely how it works. Your resume is indeed the document you use to apply for jobs (along with a customized Cover Letter where appropriate). However the real function of your resume is to impress employers you contact so that they’ll bring you in for a job interview. Read more about Resume 101 fundamentals

IS IT BETTER TO POSITION YOURSELF AS A GENERALIST OR SPECIALIST?
Employers hire people for specific jobs. Each job comes with its own duties and responsibilities. An employer needs to know that you are qualified to do the specific job properly. Some jobs need people who are generalists, such as General Labourer or Handyman. But most jobs are best suited to workers who are specially trained and have the necessary credentials in that line of work. Read more about Resume Strategy: Specialist or Generalist

WHAT EXACTLY SHOULD I PUT ON MY
RESUME, AND WHAT SHOULD I LEAVE OUT?
Your work history, educational background and earned credentials, career summary/objective, and contact information are must-haves on your resume. So are a few other relevant details. However certain information should not be revealed to employers, on the grounds you might be exposing yourself to potential discrimination. Your age and marital status should be left off. Also your religion (and country of origin if it happens to be other than Canada). Read more: What You Should (and Shouldn't) Include in Your Resume

WHY DO I NEED TO LIST MY WORK ACHIEVEMENTS, NOT JUST MY DUTIES?
On the old style of resume it was enough to describe the duties and responsibilities you’ve held as an employee. Not so anymore. An employer is looking to see how you have actually added value as a worker. In most cases you’ll want to Create Accomplishment Statements on Your Resume. It’s competitive out there and you want to stand out from the crowd

WHICH RESUME FORMAT IS BEST TO USE: CHRONOLOGICAL, FUNCTIONAL, MIXED, OR CV?
Confused by the possible variations in resume styles? No need to be. Our articles can help you figure out which format to use under different circumstances. In brief: a reverse chronological resume is the typical style most employers expect to see. The functional resume is popular with career changers, people with little work experience (like students and recent grads), or those who’ve been out of the work force for an extended leave. Mixed (combined format) resumes combine the chronological and functional formats. And a Curriculum Vitae (CV) is mainly for professors, teachers, lawyers, scientists and related professionals

more on this topic:
Top 10 Questions About Resume Writing
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Top 5 Resume Questions Answered

by Monster.ca on Sep 08, 2011

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Top 5 Resume Questions Answered — Presentation Transcript