THE résumé, or the longer format curriculum vitae (CV) is the first point of contact between you and your potential boss. It is the very important factor that determines whether you get called for that coveted job interview. Ann Marie Thomas of the Human Resource Management Association of Jamaica calls it the single most important tool used by employers to evaluate applicants for positions in their companies. So although you may be amply qualified for the job, if such qualifications are not properly presented via your résumé, you can forget about that job. Here are some tips to help you craft one that gets noticed:

1) Choose the right résumé type

Many people don’t know that there are various types of résumé. These include: chronological, functional, combination and targeted. If the company to which you’re applyting does not insist on a specific type, use everyone’s best friend — Google — to find out which type best presents you and your qualifications.

2) Format correctly

Research has shown that the average employer spends no more than a few seconds scanning a résumé before determining if he/she wants to revisit it. Therefore, you must use a font that is both easy on the eyes and has professionalism and class. A classic example is Times New Roman. As far as font size goes, 12 is the general professional size, however, you may increase or decrease it, depending on the type of font you choose. Don’t be afraid to use bold, italics and underline formats, especially in headings to ensure that your résumé is easy to follow.

3) Be concise

An effective résumé does not need to be more than two pages long. If your prospective employer has to be combing through pages of back and white ink, it sends a message that you are disorganised, and chances are, you will not secure that second look. Use bullet points and short phrases where possible.

4) Make your résumé specific

Even though you may have worked at 10 different places throughout your professional life, don’t go throwing everything onto your résumé. Modify it so that it only includes those jobs and positions that are relevant to the post for which you are applying. Your prospective employer does not have the time to sieve out which of your sea of positions actually relate to the vacant position.

5) Include a career objective

This sometimes overlooked part of the résumé can prove very beneficial. It tells your prospective employer what you hope to achieve by being a part of that organisation. This may be the line that grabs his/her attention and gets you that chance at an interview.

6) Don’t forget to include contact info

Give your employer all the opportunities to contact you. Your full name, telephone numbers, professional email address, one address, and any other relevant and reliable contact information should be at the head of your résumé (as in, make use of the ‘Header’ feature in Microsoft Word).

7) Include community service

You may not think that volunteering at your community centre is important, but this actually could prove very beneficial to you. Coomunity service gives a good impression and speaks volumes about your character.

8) Use reliable referees

Make sure to include at least two referees, unless the potential employer asks for a specific number. Ensure that the persons used are reliable and will speak honestly about you when contacted. In the same breath, it goes without saying that everything included on your résumé must be true. When your employer does a background check on the information you provided, they must correspond.

9) Make it machine-readable

Even résumés are now at the mercy of technology. Companies are now using scanners to check for key words — industry-specific terms necessary to get attention. Make sure that you include these key words in your résumé or the computers may overlook it and you would have lost out on an employment opportunity.

10) Re-read

Just like an exam, you need to review your résumé. Make sure it answers all the questions that your employer might have. If it doesn’t make sense to you, start over, because chances are, it won’t make sense to the prospective employer.

Now that you have crafted that winning resume, sit back, read Career & Education and wait for that call to come in for an interview.