As a person who hires professionals and who also has a degree in human resource mgmt, here's a couple of tips.
Do not include references. I could potentially write you off before interviewing you if your references don't impress me. Having to request references will get you in for an interview where you can impress the employer before he sees your references. References are meant to support what the employer will hopefully think of you before he calls your references.
Do not use personal references. They mean squat to an employer. I want to know if you are a good worker and have competencies. Your neighbor and father-in-law will tell me wonderful things about you but won't be able to comment on your work ethic.
If you are going to use a cover letter, make absolutely sure it is typo-free and professionally formatted. If a prospective employee writes a cover letter with mistakes, it's a sign of their poor attention to detail. I will throw out resumes without even glancing at them if I see a glaring error in the cover letter. This is critical if applying for a job where typing is one of the functions of that job. An employer will want to know why he should hire you. A good cover letter can have that info for you and may help you not falter in an interview when you are asked that question.
If this were my resume, I would change the header Employment skills to Workplace Competencies. Use the same tense in your verbs. I would remove the word developed. If you have the skill/competency, say so.
Try to start each competency with an action word. Diplomatically, Ability and effectively are not action words. Can and will are great starter words.
Examples:
Can resolve customer complaints in a dilpomatic/client-centered fashion. (the term client-centered could win you some points with a company that relishes great customer service)
Will use effective telephone communcation skills with a high level of professionalism
I would place Education section after employment skills. Education is important if the employer is looking for someone with a certain educational background, but I'd be just as interested in your trandsferable skills/competencies that you will bring from your employment history.
As much as some think a picture helps, it might with the right manager, but will absolutely cause some managers to trash your resume. While some may hire based on looks, do you really want an employer to determine your worth based on your appearance in a single photo? It may also insult the employer that you're trying to get hired on your looks.
If you're applying for a professional position, be professional in your approach to the employer.
I hope that helps. I hope you find the job you're looking for.
Do not include references. I could potentially write you off before interviewing you if your references don't impress me. Having to request references will get you in for an interview where you can impress the employer before he sees your references. References are meant to support what the employer will hopefully think of you before he calls your references.
Do not use personal references. They mean squat to an employer. I want to know if you are a good worker and have competencies. Your neighbor and father-in-law will tell me wonderful things about you but won't be able to comment on your work ethic.
If you are going to use a cover letter, make absolutely sure it is typo-free and professionally formatted. If a prospective employee writes a cover letter with mistakes, it's a sign of their poor attention to detail. I will throw out resumes without even glancing at them if I see a glaring error in the cover letter. This is critical if applying for a job where typing is one of the functions of that job. An employer will want to know why he should hire you. A good cover letter can have that info for you and may help you not falter in an interview when you are asked that question.
If this were my resume, I would change the header Employment skills to Workplace Competencies. Use the same tense in your verbs. I would remove the word developed. If you have the skill/competency, say so.
Examples:
Can resolve customer complaints in a dilpomatic/client-centered fashion. (the term client-centered could win you some points with a company that relishes great customer service)
Will use effective telephone communcation skills with a high level of professionalism
I would place Education section after employment skills. Education is important if the employer is looking for someone with a certain educational background, but I'd be just as interested in your trandsferable skills/competencies that you will bring from your employment history.
As much as some think a picture helps, it might with the right manager, but will absolutely cause some managers to trash your resume. While some may hire based on looks, do you really want an employer to determine your worth based on your appearance in a single photo? It may also insult the employer that you're trying to get hired on your looks.
If you're applying for a professional position, be professional in your approach to the employer.
I hope that helps. I hope you find the job you're looking for.