Experience And Your Resume: How Employers Want To See It

When applying for a new jobs, always read throughover if you lack them. Typically called employability
the job description thoroughly before submitting yourskills, these are skills beyond specific technical skills
cover letter and resume. Many employers are actuallythat make you a professional in your field.
looking for what they've written right in the jobThe employability skills are usually related to:
description - nothing less and nothing more - although• Communication
they'll always make exceptions if you're overqualified• Teamwork
and ready to take a salary cut. Before you even• Problem-solving
think of applying for a job in an ad, review your• Initiative skills
resume against the requirements listed to see if your• Planning and organizational skills
resume reflects a good fit.• Self-management
The experience section of your resume is the• Learning skills
hardest part to write or customize, no matter what• Technology skills
field you're in and where you are looking to step onMost people who have held jobs have these skills -
the ladder. It's important to realize that professionalbut are they reflected on your resume? If not, go
experience should experience from previous jobs asover it again. If not, let your prospective employer
well as demonstrate your skills to employers in a wayknow that yes, you are a team player, you
that wants them to find out more about yourcommunicate well, and will show initiative when
qualifications in person. A good summary of yourneeded. Employers appreciate seeing these skills
previous duties will make an employer curious aboutmentioned in black and white - and it's easy to add in
your accomplishments on the job, and it's importanta mention of a project in which you were required
to mention some of these accomplishments in youryou to work on a team, under deadline, or as a
resume to tease them into an interview, as well.self-starter.
Employers always understand awards, numbers, andThese skills are just as critical to your ability to do a
clients.great job as your professional experience and
Always begin your job descriptions powerfully, with aeducation - employers are looking for someone who
verb. Verbs are great for electronic resume scans,will be a great fit on their team and in their
too - use words and phrases that are appropriate fororganization, someone who works well under
your industry. (i.e. Progammed, designed, created...ifpressure but also has a sense of humor and has a
you are in the computer field.) Be specific with yourbalance between their personal and professional life.
accomplishments - if you designed 25 new computerWhen you do a final review of your resume and
applications in a year or saved the company thecover letter, make sure that you have covered all of
embarrassment of 20 new glitches in one onlineyour professional bases, creating a well-rounded,
application, don't be afraid to share this information.professional image that fits your target employer's
The only way your statements can create a truewants and needs perfectly. It's easy to market
impact is if you include figures. You don't have to doyourself once you see what the employer really
this for every skill - focus on the skills you believewants - and how to give it to them. Once you're into
have the most impact on the job you're applying for.the swing of it, job hunting can be exciting and help
Of course, are always a few general skills employersyou discover that you have more skills than you
look for that are never spelled out in the jobreally though you had - and help you add new skills
description itself, and are usually a given. They're alsoto the professional mix.
the type of skills that are the easiest to lose a job