RESUME HINTS

You have made the decision to look for another job – having the best resume you can is a vital part of that search.
Too often at JPS we talk to people who have never needed a professional resume or see resumes that are just not giving the owner the best chance of getting that vital foot in the door – gaining an interview. Many times JPS are able to get a candidate an interview on the strength of our recommendation, but at others the resume is the single most important selling document and needs some attention…….. it represents YOU!

1. LAY-OUT:
Lay-out should be clear and concise, making it easy for the reader to quickly get an understanding of your background and skills.
There a few ways to skin this cat but the tried and trusted format of Name - Address – Contact Numbers – Education – Career History – Referees won`t let you down.
Whether you prefer to put information into paragraph or point form is a personal choice but keep it focused for maximum impact, only stating the key responsibilities that you have and key achievements.
The length of a resume can vary from two pages to four or five maximum. Anything more and the resume is lacking focus.

2. CONTENT:
Career information should be in chronological order, starting with your most recent employment, together with the company name (and possibly website), duration of employment and position.
You should have a brief description of what that company sells, markets or the services they provide and to whom. Even with a company that is a recognised name brand, write a short description.
A run down of your role, tasks and responsibilities should follow with specifics as to what successes you achieved.

3. REFEREES:
Always have three professional referees (Managers who you reported to) with their Names, Titles, Company and Contact Numbers.

4. PERSONAL INFORMATION:
Hobbies/Interests and Volunteer Work: An interviewer may draw on information from this section to break the ice or relax the interview and it might just set-up a real rapport with your interviewer – often people hire people like themselves!

5. FINALLY:
DO pay attention to grammar, spelling and punctuation.
DON`T make a resume too specific to one job – this is the role of a Covering Letter