Language Possibilities
The language of your resume should describe you in ways that are true and valid, and moreover, that confidently reflect your abilities relative to the particular position sought. Most importantly, make sure that the image you are presenting feels authentic to who you are, what you have done, and where you are going.
You need to feel comfortable with how you've presented yourself, since your feelings about your resume will probably come across when you interview. Be aware that you may be asked to supply details about whatever appears on your resume, so only present experiences which were positive or which you can discuss in positive ways. Listed below are a few helpful hints maximize your self-presentation.
Hint #1: Be specific
The more specific your descriptions, the better the potential employer will understand your achievements and contributions. Wherever possible, include specific facts and figures to lend concreteness to your job descriptions. For example: "Researched local paper vendors to recommend changes to monthly reporting procedures, resulting in 15% cost reduction." Do not include confidential or sensitive information in such figures. You may also wish to contact your previous employer regarding the particular verbage or confirmation of figures. Here are some examples:
General job duty: Did administrative tasks and filing.
Same job duty described specifically: Coordinated 80 annual, catered meetings with corporation vice presidents and directors; Handled correspondence for the Assistant Vice President of Human Resources. Answered questions regarding perks and benefits; Maintained files for over 1,000 employees.
General job duty: Worked in Phone-a-Thon.
Same job duty described specifically: Developed sales and marketing skills by cold-calling potential alumnae donors. Achieved a 67% return rate, totaling $17.3K in pledges over one week. Invited to lead a telemarketing team in next Annual Fund drive.
General job duty: Served customers at restaurant.
Same job duty described specifically: Served individuals and groups of up to 15 in fast-paced setting, coordinated beverage service with two bartenders. Performed credit card and cash transactions using a computerized system for table service, banquet orders, and restaurant checks.
Hint #2: Use industry language as appropriate
When you use the language of an industry (including catch-phrases and buzzwords), you communicate to the reader that you have some understanding of the field, if not firsthand experience. Of course, you want to avoid name-dropping, but it may be advantageous to mention any leaders or pioneers in the field with whom you've worked directly.
Generic experience: Attended music training course
Industry/field experience: Enrolled in choral conducting course with Charlene Archibeque. Mastered right-hand conducting with baton and left-hand entrance cues; modeled breathing and singing posture. Experience with Alexander Technique. Developed ensemble rehearsal techniques with complex rhythms and syncopations.
Generic experience: Worked the computer helpdesk
Industry/field experience: Contributed knowledge of C++ and real-time operating systems to training and support helpdesk. Fielded questions from faculty and student users regarding hardware, word-processing programs, and email software; addressed issues with the server and ethernet connections. Familiar with DSL and Broadband.
Hint #3: Stick with the positive and be resourceful
It's inevitable that every work or extracurricular experience is going to have its challenges, whether they're related to one's duties, working conditions and hours, or the other personalities in the office. If a job was not positive but you must include it on your resume, consider emphasizing the character-building aspects of the position. Remember that with any position, you can talk about your knowledge of the field in general, specific job skills acquired on the job, teamwork and interpersonal skills practiced, challenges overcome, or clarity of focus gained, based on knowing (by contrast) what you do not wish to do. If your potential employer asks for references and you omit references from a job listed on your resume, you may be asked about this omission. In such cases, be sure to prepare a diplomatic explanation which presents any challenges in their most positive light.
Challenging scenario: You spent a monotonous eight hours a day pulling labels off plastic boxes in a hospital microfiche file room. Every day, you created new labels and resorted the boxes according to a new filing system. Plus, the nurses and interns around you were crabby.
Positive description : Developed process for converting over 10,000 medical microfiche files to a new system. Independently carried project to completion. Successfully maneuvered tense work environment. (You may or may not want to include the last phrase. Bear in mind that if you do mention something like this, you need to feel confident talking about this challenging part of the job in positive ways that don't alienate a potential supervisor).
Challenging scenario: Your supervisor started you on multiple research projects but never gave you the resources, ample direction, or sufficient time to finish the projects, even though you requested these things many times. As a result, when you left the job, there were numerous projects on your desk which were still incomplete. You don't feel a sense of accomplishment about any of the projects that you did complete.
Positive description: Took initiative to find in-house and external resources for research, independently wrote proposals for seven projects, worked towards interim deadlines. Prepared ongoing research projects for seamless transition to successor.
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