No Second Chance For First Impression For Your Resume

In today’s article, we cover tips on how to create a strong first impression on a potential employer with your resume.  I will share with you a few simple techniques that I have learned over the years as I human resource professional.  These tips are simple to use and very effective.

The old saying goes that you don’t get a second chance to create a first impression.  This is especially true when it comes to your resume.  The truth of the matter is that an employer begins assessing you the moment they see your resume.  In other words, the employer’s impression of who you are, what kind of worker you’ll be, strengths and weaknesses begin the moment they see your resume.  As such, it is vital that you create a strong first impression on your resume.

The two areas in your resume that I will discuss today are the resume objective and resume summary.  Both of these areas are located on the upper half of your resume.  Both the objective and summary or profile is located on the first page of your resume.  By virtue of whether situated it is the objective and the summary that drives the readers first impression.  By mastering the art of writing a targeted resume objective and customized resume summary you will get the attention of any employer.

First, create a short but powerful resume objective.  All too often I see generic resume objectives that do nothing but bore the reader.  For example, “To secure a job as X in X industry.”  Resume objective like this one tells the employer nothing and screams, “I just want a job, please hire me.  I’m desperate.”  Instead, incorporate your qualifications along with the employer’s requirement.  For example, suppose you are applying to a job posting for an accountant in a software company.  In this case, a great resume objective would read something like, “To apply my extensive accounting experience in the software industry in a dynamic workplace“  In this example, you see how you are capturing the reader’s attention by customizing your resume objective to quickly show what you bring to the table.  Also you are speaking to, what employers looking for.

The resume summary or also known as resume profile, skills and qualification summary, etc is another great place for you to create a great first impression on your resume.  Brand yourself by beginning with some keywords that utilize the job title.  For example, suppose you are applying for a job as front desk manager in an upscale hotel.  A great resume summary or profile would read something like:

“Guest Services Management Professional with over seven years of experience in five-star resort properties.  Areas of expertise include blah blah blah blah blah blah.  Proven ability to blah blah blah blah blah.  Fluent in French, Spanish and German.”

By starting your resume profile with words that reflect the job you’re applying for and industry you quickly create a marketing brand for yourself.  You are no longer Joe blow like any other applicant, you are now branded as a guest services management professional.

By using targeted resume objective and resume profile or summary that incorporates keywords in the job title and industry you create a strong personal brand.  Feel free to use these tips on your next job application to create a strong first impression with your resume.