While most professionals hire a professional résumé writer, some draft their own résumé. People who write a lot for business usually have more success in putting together a sharp, focused presentation; still, anyone can learn the basic steps to prepare his or her own résumé.

There are three major differences between a "strong" résumé and an "o.k." résumé:

1. FORMAT AND PRESENTATION DETERMINE WHETHER THE RÉSUMÉ IS READ

The average résumé is scanned, not read, for only 8-15 seconds. It either creates a strong impression to the reader immediately or it is set aside. It is similar to the impression you make on the interviewer. Therefore, make sure your résumé is wearing the equivalent of a "business suit" and not jeans and flip-flops!

Choose a format that complements your career goal. If you are seeking a job in your field and have experience, use a chronological résumé. This résumé starts with your most recent job and works backward. Conversely, if you are seeking a new type of work, you may want to consider the functional/combination résumé. This style groups your skills together and includes a short chronological work history at the end.

Other ways to insure that your presentation gets noticed include:

• No errors: use spell check and also have someone review your résumé for missing or misused words

• Use a Consistent format and use of capitalization and punctuation throughout

• Provide lots of white space to accent strong parts of the résumé

• Use no more than 2 fonts

• Include your name and address, a phone and email address

• Laser print your work on quality white or cream résumé paper

2. ACCOMPLISHMENTS TELL WHAT YOU'VE DONE; RESPONSBILITIES STATE WHAT YOU WERE SUPPOSED TO HAVE DONE

Not all accomplishments have to be big, but they have to show that you got results as you carried out your responsibilities. Often, they are something you are proud of or, they can simply quantify what you have done on a daily basis. Many of your routine activities can be quantified and written as accomplishments that demonstrate your experience and knowledge, and proof of how you've HELPED the company!

Here are some things to consider when naming accomplishments. Quantify whenever possible. For instance, did you:

• save the company money? How much and how?

• help improve sales? By how much?

• improve productivity and efficiency?

• implement any new systems or processes?

• help launch any new products or services?

• achieve more with (same or fewer) resources?

• resolve a major problem with little investment?

• participate in any technical/operational improvements?

• exceed accepted standards for quality or quantity?

• identify the need for a program or service?

• prepare any original reports, studies or documents?

• serve on any committees? What was the outcome?

• get elected to any boards, teams or task forces?

• resolve customer problems?

• get rated as outstanding in performance reviews?

3. AVOID COMMON ERRORS IN RÉSUMÉ WRITING

Many job seekers either don't know or don't understand the many items that do not belong in a résumé. They include the following:

• Do not use "I", "me" or "my" statements; use the telegraphic method and drop the pronoun to make it more active. Instead of "I wrote the 40-page employee manual", say "Wrote 40-page employee manual"

• Avoid the use of the words "responsible for" and "duties included"

• Do not include personal information, such as age, health, ethnicity, marriage and family status. Employers will throw your résumé out if it has such information because they could someday be accused of hiring bias

• Do not include photographs unless you are a model or actor

• Do not explain your reasons for leaving your previous jobs or employment gaps

• Don't send extra papers such as letters of recommendation, certificates or samples of your work. They clutter your presentation and are too premature. Use in the interview if appropriate

• Never include salary information

• Do not forward a list of references

About The Author

Recognized as a career expert, Linda Matias brings a wealth of experience to the career services field. She has been sought out for her knowledge of the employment market, outplacement, job search strategies, interview preparation, and résumé writing, quoted a number of times in The Wall Street Journal, New York Newsday, Newsweek, and HR-esource.com. She is President of CareerStrides and the National résumé Writers' Association. Visit her website at www.careerstrides.com or email her at careerstrides@bigfoot.com.