You have your basics all laid out, you just need to get the flesh in and one of the most troubling to many, especially when stringing out a decent sentence is concerned, is the prose!

You don’t have to be a grammatical expert to get the prose across succinctly. All it takes is having the readers in mind, all the time, and putting things in language as simple as you can. Putting in large vocabularies and lengthy sentences can only confuse readers and you are not answering the question in their mind. In fact, the readers might even suspect that you are beating around the bush.

With simple language, containing answers to the questions anticipated, you basically have showed that you are a capable, responsible and with that tone of language, a pleasant person. You have won pretty much most of the battle here.

Again, please remember the objective. As in, “What exactly do you want to do?” “Do you have a sense of direction, self-motivation?” “Are you going to be a burden to an organization”.

Note: 500 US corporations indicated the most serious problem they find with resumes is that applicant’s failure to indicate career and specific job objectives. That’s not a joke.

Some of the objective examples include:

• To join an executive training program leading to a management position in merchandising with an innovative and growing retailer
• To design production processes for a heavy equipment manufacturer
• To be part of an organizational and a team that understand and in able to leverage my experience, operation of internet-based and software businesses.

Following that would be, of course, your education, whether you have the knowledge and capability. Good grades, honours and special experience, usually involving internship and involvement on projects generally help.

Now, here comes the best and the most precious part of the resume, the work experience. Question you should ask yourself before drafting them would be:

• Do you have the experience or similar experiences for this job?
• Are you response-able

Crafting out what is needed you should also provide additional information and evidence about your capabilities. You should show some sense of responsibility through these work experiences you have gathered over the years.

Another often neglected part of a resume is the “Activities” list. Here, they actually address lots of questions that will  form part of your personalities, such as:

• Are you responsible?
• Are you pleasant?
• Are you a team player?
• Are you easy to get along with?
• Are you competitive but fair?

The last part, of course, is vital too. Putting down respectable “References” shows that you are serious, and are capable and you have backings for your character. And if you are indeed such a personality it will not be an issue to get important folks to back you up. In fact, even your former employer who has been kind enough to understand your need to move on can be an excellent reference point.

Once, you have drafted out the first copy, take another look at it again. Check out if its readable, sort of “easy to access” resumes that seemed to be lacking if you check around. How much does it speak about you and your experience? Will this be the one resume you would want to pick up immediately amongst the bundle of other resumes?

Sure, since you wrote that you might have biased judgment. Why not be a bit open minded, let lose of your shyness and get others to read it. Trust us, another pair of eyes can see a lot more than you do. Get their feedback, advice, comment and work on your resumes again.

A great resume usually helps to win half a battle. What you have when you have finished your resume is part of your identity as a credible candidate for that dream career of yours. We wish you the best and don’t forget, JobsDB will be conducting a series of workshop that will help you with your resume and help you Find Your Voice. Take it easy.

(Source: Jobsdb Malaysia)