The Elements of Resume Style, 2nd Edition

The Elements of Resume Style, 2nd Edition

by Scott Bennett
Released September 2014
Publisher(s): AMACOM
ISBN: 9780814433942

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Book description

It's amazing the misinformation found in most résumé books! Scott Bennett has hired hundreds of people in a variety of industries, and he knows firsthand what kind of résumé sparks an employer’s interest—and which ones fail. In The Elements of Résumé Style, he warns against popular “tricks” that tend to backfire—and instead shows readers how to craft clear, compelling, targeted résumés and cover letters that actually work.

In this new edition, readers see that whether it’s on paper or online, the rules are the same: use clear, dynamic language—and keep it short and focused. Now covering social media, the online application process, and more, this indispensable guide provides:

More than 1,400 action words, statements, and position descriptions that help sell your skills and experience • Hundreds of words, phrases, and vague claims to avoid • Advice for handling employment gaps, job-hopping, and requests for salary history and requirements • Sample résumés, response letter, inquiry letter, informational interview request letter, references, and more • Surprising 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!

Table of contents

  1. Cover
  2. Title
  3. Copyright
  4. Contents
  5. Preface to the Second Edition
  6. INTRODUCTION: WRITERS MAKE CHOICES
    1. Why Sometimes You Can Do Everything Right and Still Get No Invitation to an Interview
    2. Pay Attention to Items Within Your Control
    3. Less Is More
    4. Twelve Things You Can Do Without
  7. 1.  COMMON CONCERNS
    1. Are You Sure of Where You Want to Work?
    2. Are You Sure of What You Want to Do?
    3. Move Beyond Your Dreamkillers
    4. Résumé Length
    5. Chronological or Functional Résumé?
    6. Employment Gaps
    7. Include Interim Jobs?
    8. Self-Employment
    9. Job Hopping
    10. What About Social Media?
  8. 2.  PRESENTATION: THE READER SEES MORE THAN WORDS
    1. Paper
    2. Ink
    3. Margins
    4. Spacing
    5. Font
    6. Boldface
    7. Italics
    8. All Caps
    9. Underlining
    10. Save As…
  9. 3.  EVEN THE SIMPLEST ITEMS SEND MESSAGES TO THE READER
    1. Your Name
    2. Your Address
    3. Your Phone Number
    4. Your Fax Number
    5. Your E-Mail Address
    6. Your E-Mail Signature
  10. 4.  SELL YOUR SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE–ALWAYS WITH THE READER IN MIND
    1. Goal Section?
    2. Goal vs. Objective
    3. Executive Summary Section?
    4. Give Readers a Reason to Believe
    5. Education or Work Experience Section First?
    6. “Work Experience” vs. “Professional Experience”
    7. Position Descriptions/Blurbs
    8. Sentences/Action Statements
    9. Verbs/Action Words
    10. Volunteer Experience Section
    11. Education Section
    12. Inventions, Published Works, Seminars Section
    13. Software Skills Section
    14. Language Skills Section
    15. Memberships Section
    16. References Statement?
    17. Personal Information Section?
    18. Artwork, Photos, Decorative Borders, and Line Art
  11. 5.  DELIVER YOUR MESSAGE THE RIGHT WAY TO THE RIGHT PLACES
    1. Sending Your Résumé
    2. Job/Career Fairs and Reverse Job/Career Fairs
    3. Responding to Blind Ads
    4. Thinking Outside the Cubicle
  12. 6.  COVER LETTERS
    1. Cover Letters in General
    2. Sample Response Letter
    3. The Unsung Hero of the Job Search: The Inquiry Letter
    4. Sample Inquiry Letter
    5. Informational Interview Request Letter
    6. Sample Informational Interview Request Letter
  13. 7.  THE FINAL THREE PRE-INTERVIEW ITEMS: SALARY REQUIREMENTS, SALARY HISTORY, REFERENCES
    1. Request for Salary Requirements
    2. Request for Salary History
    3. Elements of Compensation for Salary History
    4. References
  14. 8.  MARKETING TO YOURSELF
  15. 9.  BONUS INTERVIEW CHAPTER BY POPULAR DEMAND: SCOTT, MY RÉSUMÉ WORKED! NOW WHAT?!
    1. Physical Prep
    2. Mental Prep
    3. Read Up and Then Meet Up
    4. Are You Ready for Your Close-Up?
    5. After the Interview
  16. CONCLUSION: YOU’RE THE CARPENTER
  17. APPENDICES
    1. A. More Examples of Effective Position Descriptions/Blurbs
    2. B. A Special Note to Homemakers
    3. C. A Special Note to Veterans
    4. D. A Special Note to Ex-Offenders
    5. E. A Special Note to People in Recovery
  18. Index
  19. About the Author
  20. Free Sample Chapter from Acing the Interview by Tony Beshara

Product information

  • Title: The Elements of Resume Style, 2nd Edition
  • Author(s): Scott Bennett
  • Release date: September 2014
  • Publisher(s): AMACOM
  • ISBN: 9780814433942