Question:
I'm getting out of the Army next month and I'm trying to learn how to
sell myself with the resume deal. Question is what is the best format?
I have Word 2000 and Resume Maker deluxe. What format should I use for
paper copies and Internet cut and paste versions like headhunter?
And while on the subject what how should I rate myself on the skills
ratings like techies and monster. Should I just put expert across the
board? How about stuff like Exchange Server. I passed the test and have
been supporting the client version for a few years. How does that rate?
The client stuff is on the MOC. Same thing for TCP/IP. Everytime
Internet access slows down I do a tracert and go to sprintlink or att
to find out what the problem is. Just to have an explanation when
people start asking me why it's so slow.
Answer:
The best format is to find someone on the job boards whose resume
reflects similar areas to your experience and copy it. But that assumes
that you have studied a great deal of the postings and see which look
the best, which have eye appeal, which format seems to convey clearly
the ideas. A resume is a sales tool, its purpose is to get you an
interview - think of it as a full page advertisement like what you would
see in a magazine or paper. The format or method of getting your
attention can have some variables but it must convey clearly the sales
message or you won't waste your time reading it. If you simply take a
resume generator and fill in the blanks, believe me, you will not
impress the reader and you will not make it to the top of the choices.
You may still get the interview, but you are starting from a negative
first impression.
