Are Resumes Necessary?

Resumes have long been the equivalent of the “Get Out of Jail” card in a game of Monopoly. But the big question is: Are resumes necessary? The straightforward answer is that you really need a resume to stand out from the crowd. Without a resume, navigating the murky waters of finding a good job may seem tougher than it should.

Are Resumes Necessary?

So, are resumes necessaryAre Resumes Necessary? Resumes are necessary because they showcase your capabilities and what you can offer to your potential new employer. 

Showcase Your Capabilities

Without a resume, companies will have no idea about your skills and capabilities. You may be the best salesperson, a tech whizz or a CEO with an impeccable record, but without a resume highlighting your achievements and accomplishments, no company will know of your existence.

For instance, you’ve graduated from college, entered the workforce, gained some experience and built some expertise in one or more fields, and climbed the ladder of middle management with a broad range of titles and increased responsibility. If you’ve only worked with a single employer since graduating, then the internal HR know you through personal files and memos. However, if you’ve changed jobs several times, then your best way to enter the next phase of your career is the resume – it’s the document you need to present your professional career experience in a strong format and get you called in for an interview, one of the job search steps.

What Makes a Good Resume?

But what makes a good resume? Your resume needs to be more than a bunch of information typed up on a piece of paper. A good resume needs to highlight your skills, individual career experience, accomplishments, achievements and education. Consider using the lingo appropriate to your industry and condense the information in one or two pages. The object of a resume is to get called in for an interview based on the information presented therein.

A professional resume often starts out with a brief summary of your qualifications followed by a short overview of your work experience. In today’s digital age world where resumes are likely to be scanned electronically, it helps to include a section of keywords entitled Areas of Strength, which can demonstrate at a glance the areas in which you’re most experienced. 

The Professional Experience section is the heart and soul of your resume. This is where you list the names of present and previous employers, your dates of employment, titles, responsibilities and achievements. Rather than a laundry list of tasks and responsibilities under each section, describe your responsibilities briefly and add a separate list of accomplishments under each position. This is what separates you from other potential candidates applying for the same position.

Highlighting your achievements and accomplishments on each job demonstrates how you’ve cut expenses, made the company money, expanded market share or reduced employee turnover.

Bottom Line

So, are resumes necessary? The short answer is that they are indeed necessary. Try to keep your resume short and straight to the point, preferably not more than two full pages. Most prospective employers simply want to know and expect to see what you’ve done in the past 10-15 years and only need a synopsis or brief summary of your previous jobs. By using all of these tricks, you’ll be able to easily get a call back for an interview.

First Time Job Interview Tips

Are you going to be attending an interview in the near future? Whether this is your first or 100th interview, it’s important to know how to interview successfully. The first time job interview tips provided in this write-up can help you in being successful in your next interview.

First Time Job Interview Tips

Research the Company: Before appearing for an interview you must search online to know as much as possible about the company and its industry. This way, during the interview you can explain why you would be such a great fit.

Prepare for Questions: You should not fumble while answering the questions asked normally in every interview. Make sure to practice your answers so you know how explain why you’d benefit the company. Typically, at the interview they will ask if you have any questions. Interviewers will feel that you care more about the position if you ask them questions as well.

The First Five Minutes Matter: According to various studies interviewers usually make up their mind about a candidate in the first five minutes. Make sure you prepare for those first five minutes, so you can make a lasting impression.

Think positively: While answering questions your attitude should be positive, complaints are not appreciated in interviews. Do not focus on your negative experiences. Instead, you can talk about a problem you experienced, and how it was a learning experience and improved your knowledge in the industry.First Time Job Interview Tips

Always Bring a Copy of Your Resume: Even if your interviewer has a copy, it shows you are always prepared. It’s best to print your copy on resume paper, instead of regular printing paper.

Be Prepared to Talk About Yourself: Interviewers usually ask the candidates to tell about them. So you should prepare to talk about yourself and your work history. Make sure to relate your job experience with the position you’re interviewing for.

Prepare to Discuss Specific Incidents: Today most interviewers ask the candidates to describe how they handled a specific experience. Make sure to prepare prior to the interview, think of some situations you experienced while working and how you handled it.

Body Language: You should be dressed appropriately without any perfume or deodorizer. You should handshake with the interviewer firmly. It is also important to have good posture, while also not looking too stiff when talking. Also, eye contact is important, but do not over do it to where they become uncomfortable.

Do not get Discouraged: If you were unsuccessful in the last interview, then instead of giving up, you should start preparing yourself for the next one. Do not get discouraged from applying for jobs you are interested in getting.

Conclusion

If you are appearing for a job interview for the first time, then the first time job interview tips provided in this article can help you in ensuring your success in the first attempt. Remember to research the company you are interviewing for, and prepare yourself for answering tough questions. It’s also important to bring a copy of your resume, as this shows them you are always ready.