Your resume creates an impact in two chief ways: that of content and the visual impact. Your resume must therefore, score highly on both counts because in many situations that resume is the first impression of yourself that you create on a person, so you should make it count. You should avoid making the oft made mistake when creating a resume, of concentrating only on content and not the overall design and layout.

Typeface / Font: When you talk about visual impact, one of the main things to take care of is the kind of typeface or font to use. Of course what is very important in determining what typeface to use is its legibility. The clearer and more legible the font, the easier it is to read. Fancy flourishes and stylish fonts are not for your sample resume. Perception of your level of professionalism, maturity and trustworthiness is based on typeface appropriateness. So if the typeface used in your resume sample is inappropriate it can have a negative visual impact on the reader. Choose a standard font or typeface, which is streamlined and straightforward rather than decorative, and keep it consistent throughout the whole document.

Layout: The resume has to be clear, appealing and easy to read at first glance, thereby prompting the reader to read further. Rather than structure long paragraphs, make it easier for the reader to read by making short to the point itemized paragraphs which can be separated by bullet points. Bullet points can be used to great effect when drafting your sample resume, they make clear and concise points, and differentiate items with clarity, increasing the level of readability for your resume. However you can err on the side of too much bulleting, bullet only those points which you want to draw the reader's attention to at once. So it is a good idea to combine the paragraph and bullet layout for the resume.

Spacing: The text of the resume should be well spaced, in a sufficiently large and easy to read font size. A page crowded with words is both unappealing and difficult to read, thereby making it a turn off for the reader. It is a good idea to strike a correct balance between white space and text so that neither appears dominant on the page. Also if you can, try and make your resume concise enough to fit into one page; however if this is not possible let it carry on to the next page (or 2) rather than cram it all into one page.

Choose good quality stationery: This is an investment that will be worth its while: that of top quality stationery. Good quality stationery makes an immediate and positive visual impact, instantly conveying a good impression, which in turn makes the reader more willing to read your resume. You should also be carrying several pristine copies of your resume, lest you are found wanting when in need of an extra copy.

Put some effort into the visual impact that your resume will make and make that first impression count for something!



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You need a Cover Letter to send with your resume - not just any cover letter, but a Power Cover Letter. This will make employers sit up and take notice. This will make employers call you before anybody else. You need to use advertising and copywriting skills to sell yourself to employers. Tell them why they need you and prove it to them! Without a Powerful Cover Letter, your resume will get thrown into the trash. If you don't have the ambition to set up a great cover letter, employers won't be interested in you.

Your Cover Letter has to tell the employer that you are so great, they shouldn't even bother with all the other resumes. Address the letter to the prospective employer by name and be specific about the job position. Then bowl them over with your phenomenal skills. (See my previous articles: How To Discover Your 3 Best Job Skills" and "3 Things To Make You Look Great To Employers")

You need to get the name of the hiring manager's assistant or the person who opens their mail, then put that "gatekeeper's" name in the letter. Do some research on the internet or talk to current employees to get this information. The effect of this is extremely powerful! It tells the employer, "Hey, this person was motivated enough to find out who sets my schedule. If they're doing clever things like this now, before we've even met, I wonder what kind of creative solutions this person might deliver when they're on my team?"

Keep the letter short and to the point. NEVER mention why you need the job - tell them why they need YOU!

Then, in the final part of the letter, you have to do something extremely bold: ASK FOR AN INTERVIEW! That's right. Ask for the interview AND tell them when you will call for confirmation. For example, put in something like:

"I'll call you Wednesday at 10:30 AM to set up an appointment for an interview."

WOW! That's scary! How will the hiring manager respond to this "ask for the interview" tactic?

Asking for the interview in your cover letter might be loved, it might be hated, but it will ALWAYS get a reaction. Specifically, the employer who reads it might:

• throw it out;
• call you right away;
• ask their assistant to call you and tell you when they're available; or
• make a note on their schedule and wait for your call at the appointed time.

Now, pay attention to this carefully: More often than not, they will call you right away or wait to see if you call at the appointed day and time. People who have used this closing in their letters have reported that the employers have picked up the call on the first ring and said, "I was sitting here waiting to see if you would call." As you can see, it's extremely important that you follow through on this. If you don't, you're history. The employer will never trust you again.

If the person isn't there when you call, leave a message stating, "Sorry I missed you. I will be waiting for your call back between [such-and-such hours] today." If this doesn't work, call their assistant and ask to schedule a call. If they are at all interested in you - and they should be, because you researched their needs ahead of time - they will call.

So, it's important not to change this final sentence, except for the dates, times and names involved. If you cannot locate these names, then make it more of a generic closing, such as, "If this is not a convenient time, please have your assistant call me..."

Put a testimonial from someone you worked with in the P.S. section at the bottom.

BAM! You're in their radar! They just sat up and took notice of you! Now you've got them salivating to meet you. Your dream job is waiting for you.

Gary Franz is a professional Power Resume writer. In order to stand out in today's tight job market, you really need to shine above all the others. You need a Power Resume!

Download a free ebook on setting up your very own Power Resume at GuaranteedPowerResumes.com.



Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Gary_Franz