The secret to a successful resume is to gear it toward the prospective employer’s
needs.
Your resume is about convincing them you are the candidate they are looking for. Read the job
posting carefully, determine what would make an exceptional candidate and use the following
questions to organize your information.
1. What are the most important qualifications the employer is looking for?
2. What sort of person is the organisation looking for?
3. What makes you and your background stand out?
4. What are your strongest areas of experience, knowledge, expertise and skills?
5. What ’soft’ or ‘transferable’ skills or characteristics do you possess that make you a
strong candidate? (Note things like: excellent writing skills, hard-working, ability to
handle multiple projects simultaneously under tight deadlines, etc.)
6. What have been your greatest accomplishments?
7. What “buzz words” should be used on your resume that people in your field expect to
hear?
8. What past experience do I have that demonstrate these skills/competencies?
9. Can you provide evidence to match the key competencies?
Your end goal is to convince the prospective employer that you are the best person
to fulfil the qualities that are most important to them. Develop convincing statements that
demonstrate that you are the person they are looking for.