Prepared by The Top Gun Executive Group
In general, many potential employers pay more attention to an applicant’s work experience than any other information on the resume. For that reason, potential employees should carefully study what every potential employer is likely to want to see in this section. Although the task may seem daunting, the most appealing applicants are those who customize their resumes for each position they desire. By researching the employer and the specialized skills that the position requires, applicants are able to highlight the responsibilities and projects in their histories that clearly demonstrate their mastery of those skill sets. By pinpointing the facts that the employer will find most impressive, the applicant gives his or her resume an immediate advantage over other applicants.
The extra time required for this sort of customization can truly help sell the individual to the employer, making it well worth the investment. As recently as a decade ago, employees listed their prior employers along with titles, dates, and supervisor contact information. This sort of structure no longer proves adequate. Many human resources professionals who read countless resumes will be inclined to pass over applicants who simply create a laundry list of responsibilities and skills involved. When writing a resume, an individual should always strive to engage the reader. If the reader enjoys the time spent reading the resume, he or she is more likely to want to meet the individual behind the paper.
To engage a potential employer, applicants should discuss specific projects and events rather than generalizing about their former roles. As mentioned before, tailoring these anecdotes to fit each desired position is bound to have the greatest impact. The work experience section of your resume should show that you are highly skilled, rather than simply claim vague success. Whenever possible, include exact numbers, figures, and dates to give context. Even those with a relatively short work history can find ways of filling out the experience section. For example, one may have volunteered in the community, worked with a church, or participated in sports teams. Many of these experiences build skills that translate directly to the workplace, particularly the ability to act as an effective leader and work efficiently and harmoniously in a team setting.
--- Craig Chrest founded The Top Gun Executive Group in 1999 and currently serves as its Principal Executive. With a 70 percent placement rate, the firm has become one of the foremost recruiters of senior executives. The Top Gun Executive Group maintains relationships with corporations around the country, giving clients a unique advantage in the job search process.
In general, many potential employers pay more attention to an applicant’s work experience than any other information on the resume. For that reason, potential employees should carefully study what every potential employer is likely to want to see in this section. Although the task may seem daunting, the most appealing applicants are those who customize their resumes for each position they desire. By researching the employer and the specialized skills that the position requires, applicants are able to highlight the responsibilities and projects in their histories that clearly demonstrate their mastery of those skill sets. By pinpointing the facts that the employer will find most impressive, the applicant gives his or her resume an immediate advantage over other applicants.
The extra time required for this sort of customization can truly help sell the individual to the employer, making it well worth the investment. As recently as a decade ago, employees listed their prior employers along with titles, dates, and supervisor contact information. This sort of structure no longer proves adequate. Many human resources professionals who read countless resumes will be inclined to pass over applicants who simply create a laundry list of responsibilities and skills involved. When writing a resume, an individual should always strive to engage the reader. If the reader enjoys the time spent reading the resume, he or she is more likely to want to meet the individual behind the paper.
To engage a potential employer, applicants should discuss specific projects and events rather than generalizing about their former roles. As mentioned before, tailoring these anecdotes to fit each desired position is bound to have the greatest impact. The work experience section of your resume should show that you are highly skilled, rather than simply claim vague success. Whenever possible, include exact numbers, figures, and dates to give context. Even those with a relatively short work history can find ways of filling out the experience section. For example, one may have volunteered in the community, worked with a church, or participated in sports teams. Many of these experiences build skills that translate directly to the workplace, particularly the ability to act as an effective leader and work efficiently and harmoniously in a team setting.
--- Craig Chrest founded The Top Gun Executive Group in 1999 and currently serves as its Principal Executive. With a 70 percent placement rate, the firm has become one of the foremost recruiters of senior executives. The Top Gun Executive Group maintains relationships with corporations around the country, giving clients a unique advantage in the job search process.