Resumes are user centered documents. That means that they should be written with the reader in mind. Just like JFK instructed us to ask what we could do for our country and not the other way around, a jobseeker should be thinking about what they can do for a potential employer. 

What does that mean? It just means that you should be talking about what you offer NOT what you are looking to gain. Everyone wants a potential employer that will value and appreciate them, right? And everyone wants opportunity to advance, make more money, and learn new things. You don’t need to include this in your resume. This is part of the reason that Objective Statements have fallen out of fashion in favor of a profile. You need to be thinking about what you offer, rather than what you want.

In today’s competitive workplace, where departments across the board are doing more with less, employers are looking for someone that will do more than show up do their job. You need to give them a reason to hire you!

Your resume should never include I, Me or My. It should also never tell the employer what you want from them…instead it should be chock full of value you will bring to their organization. Are you the type of employee that can’t go home until the job is done? GREAT! Include that in your profile.

The golden rule of resumes is to put yourself in the potential hiring manager’s chair. They are stressed and under the gun to find the perfect person to fill this role. What can you do to convince them that you are that person? Don’t be afraid to sell yourself…you only get one chance to make a first impression.