This video covers resume writing basics and how to write a targeted resume.

Remember, you are not your resume! Having said that, however, your professional resume is one of the most important tools in your job hunting tool box. Here are a few tips that will guarantee that your resume stands out in a sea of mediocrity:

A professional resume should be bold, exciting and enticing (like the description of a perfect gourmet meal), but written in a concise, professional manner (like an invitation to the White House). In other words, bold is beautiful (like a well tailored business suit) and flashy is a turn-off (like a neon tie with eye-crippling stripes).

You need to show you have confidence in you capabilities but not sound like a long-winded, cheeky braggart – or worse: a professional slob. Sound eager, not desperate, and use intelligent and appropriate language – not flowery terms or colloquialisms which are expressions not used in formal speech or writing.
For example, no matter your fortitude, a phrase such as “I’m tough as nails” just won’t do.

Another resume writing tip is to have at least two resumes: a one pager and a more expanded version, no longer than three pages, and have both at the ready should you be asked if you have a more comprehensive overview of your experiences and work history. If you should have more than one marketable skill, consider having separate resumes prepared that focus on each skill – just in case you are open to/or are looking for a position that highlights your “other” area of expertise. I know all of this sounds like a WHOLE LOTTA WORK, but believe me – being organized in this way will ground you in your job search – and you’ll be all the more ‘at the ready’ when an opportunity comes knocking!

The most important thing to do, however, if you’re going after a SPECIFIC JOB is to write a TARGETED or CUSTOM resume. A targeted or custom resume highlights specifically the experience that you have that is relevant to the job you are applying for. It’s more time consuming than just sending in the resume that you already have, however it’s well worth the effort – especially if you’re applying for a position that you feel was ‘created with you in mind’! And haven’t we all seen those opportunities in our careers. If you do spot this kind of a ‘once in a lifetime’ opportunity, don’t muff it by assuming that your ‘generic calling card’ (or your standard resume) will do the trick. Chances are, it won’t.

To customize your resume, edit it so that your skills and experience are as close a match as possible to the job description and job requirements: take the key words from the job posting and use them to describe your qualifications. Again, taking the time to do this will greatly increase your chances of being selected for an interview.

If you’re not applying for one specific job, however, there are other ways of approaching the resume question. Future videos in the resume guide will cover options, how to format your resume and further tips on how to write a resume.

To view other videos in the “Marketing You” Video Series about marketing yourself to employers and recruiters please view Introduction to Marketing You, Success and Creative Visualization, 60 Second Pitch,  Job Interview Tips, Resume Writing and Resume Cover Letters videos. The next video in this series is Resume Types, Chronological Resumes and Functional Resumes   Video 3.

You may also want to download one of our Marketing You FREE E-books or visit our vast Resources Section including Tax Tip Videos and the Interview Coach articles.