How to Assess Your Resume
Author: Gerard McLoughlin

If your current resume is not generating the interview offers you want, it is time to start assessing it.

Check to see that the following descriptors apply:

· Begins with a succinct, clearly stated career objective tailored to the particular job for which you are applying.

· Highlights how your skills and qualifications match the company’s specific needs.

· Employs appropriate titles for previous jobs to demonstrate clearly that you are suitably qualified for the advertised position.

· Gives a concise description of your previous employers – their products, services, industry, etc. - and your role in the company.

· Uses PAR statements to describe your accomplishments.
P identifies the ‘problem’ you faced;
A describes the ‘action’ you took to solve the problem;
R describes the ‘result’ of the action you took.

· Quantifies your accomplishments using numbers, percentages, etc.

· Makes effective use of the key words and phrases contained in the job advertisement to describe your skills and areas of expertise.

· Every sentence starts with an action word, for example:
“increased production by 20% while saving £200,000 in operating costs”
Examples of effective action words are: compiled, conducted, created,
designed, developed, established, implemented, introduced, invented,
maintained, negotiated, operated, organized, produced, and published.

· Explains how, in your previous jobs, you increased sales and profits, improved productivity, saved time and costs, and established good customer relationships.

· Provides evidence of the competencies most valued by employers, for example: your communication and interpersonal skills, flexibility, initiative, organisational ability, and teamwork.

· Includes any pertinent awards or honours you may have received.

· Provides your educational history and details of training related to the position you are seeking.

· Employment history is logical and consistent; and gaps of more than one year between your jobs are clearly explained.


· The layout is neat and uncluttered, with an easy-to-read sequence of sections and no large blocks of text.

· Contains no errors in spelling or grammar; and all unnecessary words have been eliminated.

· Hobbies and interests have been included only if they serve to reveal characteristics, skills or accomplishments that support your career objective.

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