The Elements Of Resume Style

by Bennett, Scott

• ISBN13: 9780814472804
• ISBN10: 081447280X
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2005-07-22
• Publisher: Amacom Books

Summary

Scott Bennett has hired hundreds of people in a variety of industries, so he knows what kinds of resumes catch an employer's eye-and spark serious interest. He also knows what turns employers off. In The Elements of Resume Style, Scott offers clear, smart strategies for creating resumes and cover letters that get people jobs. (He also explains why some of the most popular "tricks" -for example, using a "functional" instead of "chronological" format to hide employment gaps-backfire more often than they work.)

Author Biography

Scott Bennett has read tens of thousands of resumes, conducted thousands of interviews, and hired and developed hundreds of employees at all levels in small, mid-size, and large organizations. In 1996, he transitioned from his role as President and Chief Operating Officer of Public Service Computer Software, Inc., into career coaching. Individually and in seminars and workshops, he has coached more than 4,000 job seekers from more than 100 countries. After launching the Career Services Office at Baruch College School of Public Affairs in New York City, he developed click4careercoaching.com to provide free information, tools, and resources for active career seekers.

Table of Contents

Introduction: Writers Make Choices	xiii
Why Sometimes You Can Do Everything Right and Still Get No Invitation to an Interview
Pay Attention to Items Within Your Control
Less Is More
Twelve Things You Can Do Without
1. Common Concerns	1	(10)
Are You Sure of Where You Want to Work?
Are You Sure of What You Want to Do?
Résumé Length
Chronological or Functional Resume?
Employment Gaps
Include Interim Jobs?
Self-Employment
Job Hopping
2. Presentation: The Reader Sees More than Words	11	(6)
Paper
Ink
Margins
Spacing
Font
Boldface
Italics
All Caps
Underlining
3. Even the Simplest Items Send Messages to the Reader	17	(4)
Your Name
Your Address
Your Phone Number
Your Fax Number
Your E-Mail Address
4. Sell Your Skills and Experience-Always with the Reader in Mind	21	(36)
Goal Section?
Goal vs. Objective
Executive Summary Section?
Give Readers a Reason to Believe
Education or Work Experience Section First?
"Work Experience" vs. "Professional Experience"
Position Descriptions/Blurbs
Sentences/Action Statements
Verbs/Action Words
Volunteer Experience Section
Education Section
Inventions, Published Works, Seminars Section
Software Skills Section
Language Skills Section
Memberships Section
References Statement?
Personal Information Section?
Artwork, Photos, Decorative Borders, and Line Art
5. Deliver Your Message the Right Way to the Right Places	57	(6)
Sending Your Résumé
Job/Career Fairs and Reverse Job/Career Fairs
Responding to Blind Ads
6. Cover Letters	63	(8)
Cover Letters in General
Sample Response Letter
The Unsung Hero of the Job Search: The Inquiry Letter
Sample Inquiry Letter
Informational Interview Request Letter
Sample Informational Interview Request Letter
7. The Final Three Pre-Interview Items: Salary Requirements, Salary History, References	71	(8)
Request for Salary Requirements
Request for Salary History
Elements of Compensation for Salary History
References
8. Marketing to Yourself	79	(4)
Conclusion: You're the Carpenter	83	(2)
Appendixes	85	(30)
A. More Examples of Effective Position Descriptions/Blurbs	87	(16)
B. A Special Note to Homemakers	103	(2)
C. A Special Note to Veterans	105	(4)
D. A Special Note to Ex-Offenders	109	(4)
E. A Special Note to People in Recovery	113	(2)
Index	115	(6)
About the Author	121