The Elements of Resume Style: Essential Rules for Writing Resumes and Cover Letters That Work
2nd Edition
Published on 16. October 2014
Book
Paperback/Softback
160 pages
978-0-8144-3393-5 (ISBN)
Description
It's amazing the misinformation found in most resume books! Scott Bennett has hired hundreds of people in a variety of industries, and he knows firsthand whatkind of resume sparks an employer's interest - and which ones fail. In The Elements of Resume Style, he warns against popular "tricks" that tend to backfire - and instead shows readers how to craft clear, compelling, targeted resumes and cover letters that actually work.In this new edition, readers see that whether it's on paper or online, the rules arethe same: use clear, dynamic language - and keep it short and focused. Now covering social media, the online application process, and more, this indispensableguide provides:
More than 1,400 action words, statements, and position descriptions that help sellyour skills and experienceHundreds of words, phrases, and vague claims to avoidAdvice for handling employment gaps, job-hopping, and requests for salary history and requirementsSample resumes, response letter, inquiry letter, informational interview request letter, references, and moreSurprising tips for acing the interview
Competition is intense no matter what your field, but this candid book's time-tested tools will make you stand out - and help get you the job you deserve!
More than 1,400 action words, statements, and position descriptions that help sellyour skills and experienceHundreds of words, phrases, and vague claims to avoidAdvice for handling employment gaps, job-hopping, and requests for salary history and requirementsSample resumes, response letter, inquiry letter, informational interview request letter, references, and moreSurprising tips for acing the interview
Competition is intense no matter what your field, but this candid book's time-tested tools will make you stand out - and help get you the job you deserve!
More details
Edition
Second Edition
Language
English
Place of publication
United States
Publishing group
HarperCollins Focus
Product notice
Paperback (trade)
Unsewn / adhesive bound
Dimensions
Height: 213 mm
Width: 140 mm
Thickness: 10 mm
Weight
234 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-8144-3393-5 (9780814433935)
Schweitzer Classification
Person
SCOTT BENNETT has reviewed more than 100,000 r'sum's, conducted thousands of interviews, and hired hundreds of employees in organizations both large and small.
Content
Contents
Preface to the Second Editionxiii
Introduction: Writers Make Choicesxv
Why Sometimes You Can Do Everything Right and Still Get No Invitation to an Interview * Pay Attention to Items Within Your Control * Less Is More * Twelve Things You Can Do Without
1.?Common Concerns 1
Are You Sure of Where You Want to Work? * Are You Sure of What You Want to Do? * Move Beyond Your Dreamkillers * Resume Length * Chronological or Functional Resume? * Employment Gaps * Include Interim Jobs? * Self-Employment * Job Hopping * What About Social Media?
2.?Presentation: The Reader Sees More than Words 13
Paper * Ink * Margins * Spacing * Font * Boldface * Italics * All Caps * Underlining * Save As . . .
3.?Even the Simplest Items Send Messages to the Reader 19
Your Name * Your Address * Your Phone Number * Your Fax Number * Your E-Mail Address * Your E-Mail Signature
4.??Sell Your Skills and Experience--?Always with the Reader in Mind23
Goal Section? * Goal vs. Objective * Executive Summary Section? * Give Readers a Reason to Believe * Education or Work Experience Section First? * "Work Experience" vs. "Professional Experience" * Position Descriptions/Blurbs * Sentences/Action Statements * Verbs/Action Words * Volunteer Experience Section * Education Section * Inventions, Published Works, Seminars Section * Software Skills Section * Language Skills Section * Memberships Section * References Statement? * Personal Information Section? * Artwork, Photos, Decorative Borders, and Line Art
5.??Deliver Your Message the Right Way?to the Right Places57
Sending Your Resume * Job/Career Fairs and Reverse Job/Career Fairs * Responding to Blind Ads * Thinking Outside the Cubicle
6.?Cover Letters 65
Cover Letters in General * Sample Response Letter * The Unsung Hero of the Job Search: The Inquiry Letter * Sample Inquiry Letter * Informational Interview Request Letter * Sample Informational Interview Request Letter
7.??The Final Three Pre-Interview Items: ?Salary Requirements, Salary History, References73
Request for Salary Requirements * Request for Salary History * Elements of Compensation for Salary History * References
8.?Marketing to Yourself81
9.??Bonus Interview Chapter, By Popular Demand: ?Scott, My Resume Worked! Now What?!83
Physical Prep * Mental Prep * Read Up and Then Meet Up * Are You Ready for Your Close-Up? * After the Interview
Conclusion: You're the Carpenter95
Appendices97
A.More Examples of Effective Position Descriptions/Blurbs99
B.A Special Note to Homemakers117
C.A Special Note to Veterans119
D.A Special Note to Ex-Offenders123
E.A Special Note to People in Recovery127
Index129
About the Author135
Preface to the Second Editionxiii
Introduction: Writers Make Choicesxv
Why Sometimes You Can Do Everything Right and Still Get No Invitation to an Interview * Pay Attention to Items Within Your Control * Less Is More * Twelve Things You Can Do Without
1.?Common Concerns 1
Are You Sure of Where You Want to Work? * Are You Sure of What You Want to Do? * Move Beyond Your Dreamkillers * Resume Length * Chronological or Functional Resume? * Employment Gaps * Include Interim Jobs? * Self-Employment * Job Hopping * What About Social Media?
2.?Presentation: The Reader Sees More than Words 13
Paper * Ink * Margins * Spacing * Font * Boldface * Italics * All Caps * Underlining * Save As . . .
3.?Even the Simplest Items Send Messages to the Reader 19
Your Name * Your Address * Your Phone Number * Your Fax Number * Your E-Mail Address * Your E-Mail Signature
4.??Sell Your Skills and Experience--?Always with the Reader in Mind23
Goal Section? * Goal vs. Objective * Executive Summary Section? * Give Readers a Reason to Believe * Education or Work Experience Section First? * "Work Experience" vs. "Professional Experience" * Position Descriptions/Blurbs * Sentences/Action Statements * Verbs/Action Words * Volunteer Experience Section * Education Section * Inventions, Published Works, Seminars Section * Software Skills Section * Language Skills Section * Memberships Section * References Statement? * Personal Information Section? * Artwork, Photos, Decorative Borders, and Line Art
5.??Deliver Your Message the Right Way?to the Right Places57
Sending Your Resume * Job/Career Fairs and Reverse Job/Career Fairs * Responding to Blind Ads * Thinking Outside the Cubicle
6.?Cover Letters 65
Cover Letters in General * Sample Response Letter * The Unsung Hero of the Job Search: The Inquiry Letter * Sample Inquiry Letter * Informational Interview Request Letter * Sample Informational Interview Request Letter
7.??The Final Three Pre-Interview Items: ?Salary Requirements, Salary History, References73
Request for Salary Requirements * Request for Salary History * Elements of Compensation for Salary History * References
8.?Marketing to Yourself81
9.??Bonus Interview Chapter, By Popular Demand: ?Scott, My Resume Worked! Now What?!83
Physical Prep * Mental Prep * Read Up and Then Meet Up * Are You Ready for Your Close-Up? * After the Interview
Conclusion: You're the Carpenter95
Appendices97
A.More Examples of Effective Position Descriptions/Blurbs99
B.A Special Note to Homemakers117
C.A Special Note to Veterans119
D.A Special Note to Ex-Offenders123
E.A Special Note to People in Recovery127
Index129
About the Author135