Tips to an outstanding résumé

Here are some tips on how to make your résumé stand out:

• Use an active, direct writing style. Use strong verbs, positive words, specific examples and numbers.

• Eliminate pronouns (I, we, my, their, etc.) and articles (a, an, the), unless you need them for clarity. Unnecessary wording bogs the reader down.

• Omit age, birth date and graduation dates; marital status; number of children. Save information on salary history and reasons for leaving a previous position for the interview.

• List all references on a separate page as an attachment.

• Tailor your résumé for each of the positions in which you are most interested. Résumés that are customized for the specific position really stand out in a big stack.

• GCSAA can critique or prepare your résumé. For more information, contact Carol D. Rau, PHR, human resources consultant, at careeradvantage@sunflower.com.

• Keep the résumé neat, leaving appropriate margins and white space within the body of the résumé to make it easier for the decision maker to read.

• Avoid gimmicks. Keep the layout, paper color and ink color conservative.

• Show a draft to friends or acquaintances familiar with the business environment you are applying for. Welcome their feedback!

• Read your résumé carefully, several times, to make sure there are no errors or misspellings. Just one typo creates a powerful impression of carelessness that may overshadow all your qualifications, experience and education.

• Prepare two versions of your résumé, a short and a long one. The short version should be no more than two pages and sent to prospective employers. Take the long version or portfolio with you to an interview. If you are interested in the position, leave it with the interviewer.

• Be sure to point out how your accomplishments exactly match the requirements to share why they should hire you. This gives the employer more information and more reasons to interview you, giving you the opportunity to show them in person what you have to offer.