Ten Secrets to Writing a Résumé That Sizzles

Writing an effective résumé takes time, practice, and patience. Most people don't like to edit their own work, but if there is one document that needs to be perfect, it's this one. Here are 10 proven secrets for writing a résumé that will help you get your foot in the door

1. Use the right format and language. If you know, for example, that the company to which you are applying scans the résumés that pour in (and more and more do these days), prepare a computer-friendly document that lends itself to easy scanning. Make sure to include important keywords just as if you were writing content for an Internet search engine. Don't include graphics that could exile your résumé to the bowels of the HR department.

2. Keep it brief. How can you cram in all the important information a prospective employer needs to know about you -- all those degrees, the special projects you've work on, and everything else you deem essential? You need to prioritize, but you need to do it smartly. If you've been in the professional workforce for over ten years, there's no longer any need to include that job you had when you were seventeen (unless it's somehow pertinent to the position you are applying for).

3. Don't stretch the truth. This sounds simple enough but sometimes people get carried away with their own story. Don't embellish or exaggerate, and be judicious with your creativity. Once it's in writing, what you've claimed about your background, skills, and experience is there to stay. Hiring managers can usually spot fraud from a long way off. In fact, they are trained to look for holes and other indications that things are not as they seem, so beware.

4. Ask for help. If you know you need guidance in crafting your résumé, don't be afraid to ask for help, professional or otherwise. You can hire a writing consultant who specializes in résumés. If you can't afford one, at least have a friend review the document before it's finalized. Be concise and use the active voice. Use words like developed, managed, created, organized, directed, led, and others that suggest positive action.

5. Quantify your success. Any information that can be quantified, like the thousands of dollars you saved your company in printing costs through your ingenious e-mail campaign, should be included, as well as the dollar amount of budgets you oversee. Use figures, statistics, and percentages whenever possible. When you can quantify your work, it demonstrates that you can get things done by providing concrete evidence of your successes.

6. Don't forget the extras. Be sure to include any awards or honors you've received, particularly those that are germane to your profession. Do you belong to any professional groups? Have you received any special mentions for work that you've done? This is not the time to be modest; your résumé is your best opportunity to help shape someone's first impression of you. Now is your time to shine.

7. Pay attention to the header. And don't underestimate its value. The header on your résumé should contain your full name and detailed contact information. The last thing you want to do is make it difficult for a prospective employer to locate you to set up an interview. Make sure to include a phone number and remember that whenever you answer that line, you need to be prepared to hear an interviewer on the other end. Include a professional-sounding e-mail address and your Web site if it highlights your professional background.

8. Reconsider the use of objectives. Including an objective at the top of a résumé used to be the "in" thing. It helped distinguish the person from the competition and gave a prospective employer the impression that the applicant knew what they wanted. But too often these objectives start to sound the same, which dilutes their effectiveness. If you really are qualified for the job and your skills and work experience can back that up, then by all means consider using an objective. But before you send off your résumé make sure that including it actually makes the document stronger.

9. Include appropriate training. In addition to your educational background, add any relevant training you've had since graduation. In addition to demonstrating your skill level, your participation in training seminars, workshops, or online classes shows that you're committed to professional growth.

10. Review, review, review. Checking your document for spelling and punctuation is just the beginning of the review process. Your résumé should tell a prospective employer that you're organized, experienced, enthusiastic, committed, and professionally savvy. A stray typo or grammatical error could negate all of that and be enough for an HR rep to toss your résumé into the trash. Convoluted language or misuse of a technical term could make even the fairest hiring manager question your abilities. So review your work carefully and then ask a trustworthy acquaintance to proof it before you send it off.