A Resume Critique
Do you need one?

Resume critiques are necessary for any job seeker to be successful. Sure, you can get advice from someone, but wouldn't it make more sense to have your resume professionally reviewed? Not everyone writes well - and even if you do, there is no guarantee that you'll put all of the right information (where it belongs) on your resume.

The more I hear about today's current hiring experiences, the more I believe that having any kind of edge over other job candidates is worth pursuing. Even with all of the information available on the Internet, it is tough make a good resume and have it well-tailored to the niches and idiosyncrasies of today's job market. It can be done, but it takes a lot of time and effort. The best thing to do once you create your resume is to have it professionally reviewed.

Why?

One word can be used to describe today's job market: insanity. Every time a position is open, the files fill with hundreds of resumes. Hiring managers are overrun with resumes - and at the end of the day, they don't have the time to settle for a run-of-the-mill version. Therefore, it's vital that your resume looks its absolute best.

If your resume does not communicate your best qualities to a prospective employer (and quickly), you will not get an interview, much less a job offer. The competition in the current job market leaves no margin for error; your resume must market your qualifications in a way that makes a solid, positive first impression.

Here are the top 5 mistakes that employers find on resumes sent in by job candidates:

1. Typos
2. Spelling and Grammar Errors
3. Self-focused
4. No job objective
5. Lack of marketing strategy

Does your resume address all of these issues? Do you understand the depth of each of the 5 mistakes and what must be done to remedy them? Take your time when reviewing your resume to ensure that each section of your resume leaves a positive impression on the prospective employer.

A resume-writing professional can pinpoint your resume's mistakes and give you the essential solutions you need to make it in this competitive job market we live in. You deserve to have the best information available to ensure your success.

If you don't have the money to hire a resume writing professional, have someone you know look over your resume for you. Use the Resume Critique Form provided below to review your resume and see if you are missing anything.

Resume Critique Form

Here are a few items that the Kentucky Office of Employment and Training offers on its site:

• One typographical error can greatly diminish your chances, two or more, can land your resume in the garbage. Do not rely on spell check! Proofread, and show your resume to several friends to have them proofread it as well. This document is a reflection of you and should be absolutely perfect.


• Important titles should be underlined. Use bold and capital letters only when appropriate.


• Consider the scannability of your resume. Be focused toward a particular job, include keywords. A good way to determine keywords is to read job descriptions for positions that interest you. If you see industry buzzwords, incorporate them into your resume.


• Did you account for all periods of time? The employer will look for this.


• Is the layout professional? There should be no errors or smudge marks.


• Avoid fancy fonts, size should be 10 or 12 using conservative styles that are not mixed.

(Source: State of Kentucky Office of Employment and Training)