If you’ve made the decision that you want to apply for a new job, you will likely have to update your resume. The first step in this is for you to consider the details of the job for which you are applying. In particular, consider the following:
- Occupation: What are the general education and/or certification requirements?
- Corporate Culture: What are the corporate values that your resume should reflect?
- The Job Itself: What are the specific skills and traits of an employee in your desired position generally and specifically?
After you have made an assessment as to the necessary or desired education and skills needed to attain your desired position, consider how you can meet or exceed the employer’s expectations. In particular, compare the expectations with your own education and skills, formal or otherwise. Don’t forget to reference personal development courses for which you have received acknowledgment and which are relevant!
You should also consider how you will fit within the context of the corporate culture. You should do your research on the formal attributes of the job (anticipated salary, benefits, work hour expectations). However, there are also informal attributes that you should be aware of. For example, some companies encourage their employees to be active in the community with volunteer organizations. If so, you want to highlight your community achievements. Other companies may only be concerned with their employees’ technical competence. If this is the case, spend your focus on highlighting your technical knowledge.
If the job is “results-oriented”, for example, a sales position, you will want to consider this fact when creating your resume and discussing your previous employment. Be prepared to provide specific data regarding your success in achievement of financial and other goals.
After you have completed the above tasks, in an informal matter, it’s time to actually work on your resume. If you’re entering a new occupation, you may want to give your resume a different “look”, for example, consider a resume for a position as a financial advisor at a local bank in contrast to a position as a marketing director for a trendy small marketing firm. The structure of these resumes should be different. Also, the paper on which the resume is written will likely be different!