We've addressed the keys to effective resume writing more than once on this blog, but there are some things worth repeating, especially when they come from outside sources who walk the same steps on the web that we walk, and their advice is just as valuable.
Take Steven Coyne, an independent recruiter who runs The Job Hunter Group's Blog. He once wrote a timeless post for RecruitingBlogs.com, titled 3 Reasons I'll Read Your Resume, that underscores a trio of points we wholeheartedly agree with:
1. Read every word of the job description and apply only if you're qualified for the job.
"Give me what I want by writing a short and concise cover letter. It should include a short summary of your experiences that match the job description. If they don't match, don't apply!" Doing this will help keep your job search focused and prevent you from doing a lot of unnecessary work by applying to more jobs for which you're not qualified.
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2. Make your resume easy and breezy to read.
Ditch the distracting fonts, the picture of yourself, and the extra words you don't need. In Coyne's words: "Do not ramble! Get right to the point. Recruiters quickly [grow] tired of trying to find information that indicates your qualifications." As for including a picture: "Who cares what you look like? Many hiring managers or recruiters make stupid assumptions about your looks anyway."
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3. Use important phrases from the job description.
If some of your experience matches the wording in the job description, make it stand out in your resume. "This one reason alone will encourage me to call you," Coyne writes. "I'll know you read the job description and made sure that you made changes that improve your chances to get a call from me."
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