Page 119 - Complete Idiot's Guide to The Perfect Resume

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Chapter 7 ➤ Step Two: Knock ’Em Off Their Feet

Keeping Up with the Fast Trackers

Jamie Choi designed a Summary of Qualifications section in his
resume (see the following) that told his potential employer that
he’s experienced in his field and valued by those who work with
him. Notice his clever technique of getting someone else to say he
was a good employee-relations specialist: He quoted one of his for-
mer clients. His summary statements alone made the employer Job-Hunt Hint
want to read his entire resume. Although the Summary of
Qualifications appears at the top
Look through your evaluation forms and letters of recommendation
of the page, you may find it
from former employers to see if you have a quotable quote for your
easier to compose after you’ve
resume.
written the rest of your resume.
On the Lines of a Career Changer

The Summary of Qualifications is one of the most important sec-
tions on a career changer’s resume because it becomes a bridge
between the job seeker’s past and future. In his resume, Charles
Humphries used just three statements to provide the following
information:
➤ He had experience in the field he was moving into (even Terms of Employment
though he’d never held the job title he was going after).
Over and more than are two
➤ He had the required skills and motivation for the position.
terms that are often confused.
➤ He had a technical background, which was something his On your resume, use more than
competition might not have. to mean “in excess of.” For
instance, use “more than 10
His Summary of Qualifications section packaged Charles as a low- years of experience” instead of
risk, high-value candidate. “over 10 years of experience.”

Bonus Check

Your Summary of Qualifications statements should so strongly paint the picture of you at
your next job that there appears to be little or no transition into your new job, even if
you’re making a big career change.

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