Page 63 - 201KNO~1

38 THE FUNDAMENTALS

A distinctive résumé format not only makes you stand out from the
crowd but also makes you look more qualified and organized. In truth,
how your résumé looks is as important as how it reads. Later on, you’ll
get the opportunity to see different formatting ideas.

, Be relevant. Because most hiring managers aren’t interested in
outdated accomplishments or competencies, your résumé should focus
on your last ten to fifteen years of employment. In addition, leave out
jobs that are not relevant to the position you are applying for. Eliminat-
ing old and irrelevant jobs will leave more room on the page to highlight
your career objectives and applicable strengths.

Accomplishment-Based Information

Though you may share a job title with many other people, your accom-
plishments and how you carry out your responsibilities are what distin-
guishes you from other qualified candidates. Therefore, you should focus
your résumé on not only what you did but also how well you did it. Re-
member, your résumé is your way to market your strengths on paper, so
show a significant difference from the others by including some “talking
points.”

To assist you in determining these résumé “talking points,” below are
some points to address:

, Measurable Accomplishments. Write down ways that you saved the
company money. Include information such as the circumstances and the
percentage saved. Note the special projects you participated in and the out-
comes—describe your role in making the projects successful. Recall times
when you resolved a major problem with little investment. Take note of
the times you exceeded accepted standards for quality or quantity. Write
down a time when you were approached by management to train team
members on departmental policies and procedures. Outline changes you
spearheaded and each that positively impacted the organization.

, Notable Mentions. Describe the greatest effort you put into your
work. List the awards you won (i.e., President’s Club) and the commen-
dations you received (i.e., letter from management for a job well
done). What are the top three accomplishments you are most proud of for
each position? Include some positive quotations from your annual per-

American Management Association
www.amanet.org