In the process of job-hunting your resume also acts as a letter of introduction. You cannot get past the front door without having one that's written correctly for the desired job. There are some basic axioms for writing an effective resume that apply no matter the situation.

Important things first. Know your talents intimately. Don’t gloat, don’t pad your resume – simply lay out your experience in a logical demeanour. Assess what abilities the possible employer most wishes then highlight those on your resume in solid ways. That suggests using active language that catches the reader’s attention from the get-go. You have but a short few seconds to capture your reader – if you miss that opportunity, you won't be requested an interview.

Talents are not the only thing for which an employer watches. They are also focused on results-oriented individuals. When writing your resume, provide quantifiable info that actually pops and shows the employer how you will inevitably make a contribution to the firm. You want them thinking of you as part of the team from the get-go.

Third, remember to customize your resume. A cookie cutter description of your experience comes off as tasteless and lazy. Adjusting your resume to potential jobs gives you the chance to use suitable language and key words. Use words acceptable to the job group so that you and the employer understand one another clearly. Don’t overlook your transferrable talents. Organisation, for example, has benefits in a good range of settings. It’s how you highlight that ability that actually matters.

Now, all of that may appear like a lot of details – but you still need to keep your resume to a single sheet of paper if practical. Begin with your latest job and work backwards. Ignore short-term stints unless they are really pertaining to your claim. You can explain openings in your job history at the interview if necessary. As an example, say you had to take employment at a coffee bar for some time to make extra money. That job experience holds no definite bearing on being a secretary but for maybe people skills.

As you make varied versions of your resume, label them accordingly on your P. C. Pull up the one that is got the greatest similarity to the job you would like and then change it. Read it over fastidiously, watching for typos and miss-spellings. Utilise a font size of 12 so it’s clear and easy on the eyes. Don't use any odd coloured inks or frilly paper. Rather a high quality white paper with a pointed header for ? your address and telephone number are fine. Avoid adding any scents to the paper in case the reader has allergies (this is a job application, not a date).

Eventually, keep a catalogue of the companies to which you've applied and a date so you can chase up and not copy efforts.

Pat Cann is the founder of MyVerifax, a company with information on its website about how to build a great resume’.