Debunking the Myth of the General Resume

Denver, CO (PRWeb) January 13, 2006 -- Many job seekers mistakenly believe that using a general resume will give them an edge in today's competitive careers marketplace. However, use of an unfocused resume can result in few or no calls for interviews.

Some professionals believe that their resumes are ignored because they are missing critical skills that an employer is seeking, and that creating a general resume prevents limitations on being considered for only one job type. As one resume expert warns, though, this strategy is often unsuccessful.

"Hiring managers are inundated with resumes, calls from job seekers, and new hiring requirements," says Laura Smith-Proulx, Executive Director of An Expert Resume (www.anexpertresume.com), a professional resume and job counseling firm in Denver, Colorado. "They simply do not have time to read between the lines and figure out which job type fits a candidate's qualifications."

In order to avoid this pitfall, Smith-Proulx says, job seekers should change the focus and marketing angle of the resume, which often results in an increased number of calls for interviews.

Noting that the resume introduction can set the tone of the document, Smith-Proulx points out that many employers view the standard resume objective statement as canned and self-serving. This is because it typically describes what a candidate seeks, rather than the skills they offer. Using a professional summary, she says, can turn this problem around to emphasize fitness for the job and produce a visual image of what the candidate can accomplish in the future.

She offers this example of an objective statement for a software engineering role that reads:

"Seeking opportunity to develop, administer, and maintain project environments."

This career target, Smith-Proulx says, can be amplified by using a description that showcases the the job seeker's abilities and performance for the next job, such as:

"Consummate web developer with outstanding reputation for quality, cutting-edge software solutions to enhance business performance."

Another way to sharpen the focus of the resume is to consider than employers expect to see interest in their companies, their job openings, and their needs. Smith-Proulx recommends that every phrase, keyword, and qualification in a resume, especially in the profile or summary section, should be tuned to fit the position at hand.

She states that, to avoid generalities, job seekers should carefully remove references to skills not needed in the desired position, while adding emphasis on those required for success in the same field. And, she adds, keywords for the target position can be researched in resume books or with an Internet search.

"I frequently see watered-down descriptions of a candidate's skills in their current resumes," Smith-Proulx says. "These do little to help a hiring manager see the value offered to the company." She says that since the resume must immediately stand out to a potential employer, job seekers should review the wording they choose to express their talents. An effective resume, she says, avoids overused phrases such as "self-motivated team player" when there are ample methods to communicate unique skills and accomplishments.

Smith-Proulx cites an example of this with the replacement of "proficient in customer service with ability to meet quotas and goals" by "recognized for consistently strong sales performance, with 140% of goal attained in aggressive market." The latter, she says, uses sufficient detail to convey key strengths for a sales professional.

Hiring managers need to see precise credentials and qualifications in order to be motivated to contact a job seeker, Smith-Proulx says. By using specific language and keywords, professionals can greatly increase their chances of being contacted for an interview.

To learn more about effective resume development, contact Laura Smith-Proulx at 1-877-258-3517 or visit www.anexpertresume.com.

About An Expert Resume:

Laura Smith-Proulx is a Certified Professional Resume Writer and Interview Coach, and the Executive Director of An Expert Resume. She offers advanced resume writing and interview coaching services to mid-career through executive clientèle in the global marketplace. A former Fortune 500 recruiter with more than 18 years of experience assisting clients to meet their career goals, her work has been published in two international resume writing books.

Contact:

Laura Smith-Proulx, Executive Director
An Expert Resume
877-258-3517
http://www.anexpertresume.com

###