Résumé Help From Carol Sand MAP
Create a Winning Résumé for Job Success in Houston TX
A résumé is essentially a document that offers a complete listing of your job skills and professional attributes. Many employers now look at a résumé and cover letter exclusively, because they do not offer applications for open positions. Your résumé shows a prospective Houston employer why they should hire you for that job. Those who have a strong résumé that clearly shows their professional information are more likely to find a position that they want and value. Career counseling by Carol Sand MAP Houston can help you perfect your résumé.
The Importance of a Strong Résumé
Giving your résumé to a potential employer is your first chance to make a good impression. If your résumé does not provide the information needed, your résumé goes to the bottom of the pile. A good résumé must include as much information about your past history without overwhelming the person who reads it. Most résumés contain all of the necessary information on a single page. That potential employer wants to know what sets you apart from the pack, and what makes you suited for that position or any position within the company.
Parts of a Résumé
A résumé starts with your contact information at the top of the page. Your contact information should include your name, physical address, phone number and a current email address. Make sure that you use a professional-sounding email address, not one that uses a hobby or a nickname.
Underneath your contact information is a list of your most recent employers. List the dates that you worked for the company or organization, your job title and a short listing of your duties in that position.
Your résumé should also include a short history of your educational background or training. List your most recent education credentials.
Depending on the amount of available space, you can add a section on your hobbies or personal interests. Some employers prefer that you use this space for listing any special skills or accomplishments you received. For example, you can list your fluency in a secondary language.
The résumé should also include a section with your references listed. If the employer does not require references, explain that you can provide those later.
Résumé Styles
Résumés fall into three basic categories:
- A chronological résumé is the one that most people are familiar with because it lists the applicant’s previous positions. The job listing appears near the top of the page with the most recent job listed first. A chronological résumé is best for those that have a solid work history with years in specific positions.
- A functional résumé focuses more on your skills than your work history. You list specific skills at the top of the page with samples of how you used those skills. For example, you might list team management on your resume. Underneath this section you explain the different positions where you utilized those skills or examples of when you used those skills. Functional résumés are best for those that do not have a solid work history such as a stay-at-home parents who may have taken several years off work to stay with children.
- The combination résumé combines the features of a functional résumé with a chronological résumé. The top of the resume includes your special skills, but you list your work history at the bottom. This is especially helpful if you want to highlight your skills, while still informing the employer of your past jobs. Freelancers often use this type of résumé, because they have special skills that apply to the position. At the same time, the freelancer does have experience in that particular field with different companies.
Industry-Specific Résumés
Depending on the type of job you apply for, you might need an industry specific résumé. Industry specific or job specific résumés highlight your skills and experiences in a specific industry. Actors, teachers, secretaries, doctors, accountants and law enforcement are just a few examples of industries that use specific résumés of this type.
An industry specific résumé makes use of your experience in that field. Instead of describing all the skills you used in a specific job, you only list those skills that apply to your industry or the job you apply for within that company. This occasionally takes some creativity on your part because you must determine what skills from each position will help you with a future position. For example, you might focus on the team management that you did when working in a retail job rather than working with customers or handling money.
Résumé Building Tips
Your résumé is the item that gets you an interview with a company. Large companies use a human resource department, which examines every résumé that comes through the door. Unless you résumé stands out it will wind up on the bottom of the pile. Carol Sand MAP can help you create the résumé that gets you the job of your dreams.
The Carol Sand MAP Houston firm can help you with career coaching, transitioning into a new position or finding a job in a completely different career. Contact Carol Sand MAP Houston Texas to learn more information about getting the job that you always wanted. If you want a new job or career in the Houston area, Carol Sand can help.