PNI MANAGEMENT PHILIPPINES

Preparing Your Resume

Your resume is always a requirement and the most important document in your job or career search. It should showcase your achievements, experience, strengths and personal data. It should also provide a brief synopsis of your accomplishments, rather than lengthy job descriptions. We prepared some resume-writing guidelines and formats that would apply to every individual, regardless of the industry, professional level or job of interest.

Formats for resume-writing have evolved. Today’s Résumé’s have a professional appearance and highlights results and achievements is a hiring manager’s delight. Hard copies are ok, but now, employers can accept and sometimes prefer to receive resumes in a variety of formats, including Electronic, scannable and printable.

Inside your Resume
Your Resume can move a hiring manager as soon as it is read, be sure it is easy to read and contains these details:

Personal Information
Your name, phone number(s) and email address should be prominently positioned at the top of the page. It is important to have a presentable Photo attached at least 2x2 in. in size.

Objective
Your job search mission statement counts a lot. It identifies to the prospective employer, in concise terms, the exact position you seek. It should include a broad definition of the job title and a mention of the skills that would be utilized in this position. Have it tailored to each employer you contact.

Experience/Employment History
Traditionally done in reverse chronological order, your history should be more than a list of job titles and descriptions. It should include quantifiable results like numbers and percentages to demonstrate the impact you had on an organization.

Skills
Are you familiar with both Mac and PC? What computer programs do you know? Are you bilingual? What presentation equipment have you used? This is where you can list any special, job-related skills you may have. You can tailor this list to fit the needs of the position for which you're applying, or simply change the order of the list to present your most valuable skills first.

Education/Training/Certifications/Licenses
The schools, seminars and trainings you attended. The degrees earned. Your graduation date. Your GPA if a 3.0 or higher. Related certifications and professional licenses.

Awards
Your future employer would always want to know about your achievements and awards. Awards can be either personal and professional, they should be listed in reverse chronological order.

Affiliations
Your interviewer or someone in the work place shares your interests and passions, Being a member of a professional association speaks volumes about your interest in your field, and can be an instant conversation starter as well as credibility builder.

Some Do’s in Resume writing

You should …

Modify your resume

Tailor resume for each position.

Focus on employer's needs, identifying how individual skills & accomplishments meet/exceed their requirement.

Perk up your words

To add life to your resume, use bulleted sentences that begin with action words like prepared, developed, monitored, presented, etc.

keep it short and effective

Make resumes one to two pages long. Writing concise and effective resume is an art one should aspire to learn. Write qualifications & accomplishments in concise bullet points that can be read quickly.

Be sure it is readable

Select an easy-to-read font & type size–no less than 11 points.

Leave some white space, rather than a full page of text, with no breaks.

Use a standard font if sending resume via e-mail. And, to preserve formatting, send the resume as an attachment, rather than cutting and pasting into the e-mail text box.

Showcase your achievements

Mention some of your achievements, these can be a great selling point for your resume.

Match your resume with the position

Review want ads for positions that interest you. Use the key words listed in these ads to match them to bullets in your resume.

Have it proof read

Read resumes carefully–check spelling, grammar and punctuation.

Send to friends, a mentor or a career counselor to review and to ensure correction of obvious mistakes or grammatical lapses.

Cover Letters
Just like the resume a cover letter is also important. The cover letter introduces you to the company and allows you to tailor your qualifications to the job opening. It's also meant to generate interest and get you an interview. To do this, it needs to be concise and catchy. It shouldn't be a synopsis of your job history, or a long-winded self-description using words like "assertive" or "highly motivated." Instead, demonstrate these qualities by describing your accomplishments. Here's how to set it up:

1^st Paragraph
Identify the position for which you are applying, where you saw the ad and/or how you learned of the position. Clear information ensures that your resume gets to the right person.

For example:

I'm responding to your posting on www.pni-philippines.com for the Outlet customer Representative position for local hiring.

2^nd Paragraph
Give relevant ideas on how you understood and how you can perform the job, as you understand it from the job description details. Do this by outlining related assignments or accomplishments, and similarities to your current or past position. Enhance your credibility by giving them facts such as significant achievements, numbers, programs established, etc.

For example:

My qualifications appear to fit the position you've described:
Your requirements: Experience in an outlet store or restaurant environment.
My Experience: Two years experience in RED bar and Resto, at the Shangri-la Makati Hotel as a Waiter.

Your requirements: Proficiency in Call Center technology.
My Experience: Have completed call center agent courses. Familiar with the U.S. and China Market. Fluent in Mandarin and English.

Your requirements: Able to provide helpful, knowledgeable service to our customers.
My Experience: Received Ms. Congeniality Award for Excellence in customer service last 2007.

Final Paragraph

You can include any of the following in your final paragraph.

• Show them how you can be an asset to their company.
• Demonstrate your deep interest in the position.
• State geographic preferences, if appropriate.
• Suggest convenient interview times or when and where you can't be reached.
• Remember the necessity to keep your search confidential.

Your final sentence should request an interview. For example:

I would appreciate an opportunity to discuss with you how my skills and experience can benefit your organization. I am enclosing my resume for your review. Thank you for your time and consideration.