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The first step in writing a great resume? Think positive! That’s why I’m going to show real examples from some of the most effective resumes we’ve gotten at Spec On The Job.
July 30, 2018
Today’s “Resume Greatest Hit” comes from the cover letter of an applicant for an Administrative Assistant position:
With ten years of Administrative Support and Customer Service experience, as well as four years of Healthcare Administrative experience, I am confident that my skills are well-suited for your needs.
This applicant’s first good move was targeting her job search to positions she is highly qualified for. Her second good move was listing the number of years of relevant experience she has for the position right at the top of her cover letter.
This type of cover letter makes a hiring manager want to set the resume aside right away for closer consideration.
July 31, 2018
Today’s “Resume Greatest Hit” comes from the cover letter of an applicant for a warehouse position:
TECHNICIAN
September 2011 to June 2012
Responsibilities
I was a temp worker for the same company (XYZ Company)
Accomplishments
I ended up getting hired on with XYZ Company
This candidate listed on his resume that one of his past positions was with a staffing agency. He clearly explains that he started off as a temporary worker with one of the agency’s clients, and that he was later hired on by that client as a permanent employee.
This is great information to include in a resume. It shows that the applicant made the most of his temporary job. His hard work impressed the client so much that he was able to land a permanent, full-time position with them.
Any hiring manager reading this resume gets a sense of the value this applicant will bring to an organization.
August 1, 2018
Today’s “Resume Greatest Hit” comes from the cover letter of an applicant for a call center customer service representative position:
I am an administrative professional with 10 years experience providing administrative and development growth support. I am currently working towards a bachelor’s degree in business management.
These are the first two sentences in the applicant’s resume. Not only did she state her number of years of relevant experience for the position right up front, she also emphasized that she’s currently working toward a bachelor’s degree.
If you’re working toward a degree, license, or certification, don’t be afraid to say so! This shows hiring managers that you’re highly motivated and dedicated to self-improvement, which are sought-after qualities in any employee.
August 2, 2018
This “Resume Greatest Hit” comes from an applicant for a Class A CDL driver position:
Experienced in: rough carpentry, sheet metal work, heavy equipment and fork lift operation, sandblasting, painting, drilling, rock blasting
Fluent in American Sign Language (not hearing impaired)
Class A CDL
This excerpt comes from the very bottom of the resume, below the sections where the applicant listed his work history and education. Many applicants use this extra space to include a list of skills and attributes like “good communicator,” “hard worker,” and “punctual.”
This applicant, however, took the opportunity to make his resume stand out.
This driver included a list of tangible skills, almost all of which directly apply to the job he applied for. He also took the opportunity to re-list that he has a Class A CDL – the most important qualification for the position. And he even off-set the license information on a separate line from the other skills so it would stand out at-a-glance.
This is an exceptionally effective resume for a driving position, and we want to thank the applicant for sending it our way.
August 3, 2018
This “Resume Greatest Hit” comes from the cover letter of an application for a Commercial Electrician position:
I am currently in [state] working residential, but I am looking to move to North Carolina because I have family there and I love the area.
This is the first sentence of the applicant’s resume. Even though it doesn’t include any information about his work experience or skill set, we still applaud him for including the information about his upcoming relocation right up front.
We get a lot of resumes that show the applicant as living in a different state than the location of the job they’re applying for. When this happens, it’s important for the applicant to explain that they’re in the process of moving to the area where the job is located.
Unfortunately, when an applicant fails to explain a location mismatch in his or her resume, the hiring manager will usually assume that the applicant either sent in an outdated resume, or that the applicant didn’t read the job description and location closely. Both options mean that the applicant’s resume won’t be considered further.
