Selling yourself on your resume

Just finished reading an interesting article from MSN on how to sell yourself in five words. Here’s the link:  http://businessonmain.msn.com/knowledgeexchange/articles/expert.aspx?cp-documentid=22721059&source=msneditorial>1=25049
I won't say I agree with all of this, but it did get me thinking.  For those regular followers of this blog you know I emphasize the skill set. For the new work from homers I will briefly recap, be certain your skill set jumps out and sells you as a candidate while staying relevant to the job you’re applying for.  Think of it as the link or qualification summary between you and the job description. Don’t get all caught up on the five word limit, just keep it attention grabbing and pertinent. Many large organizations using scanning software, if you’re resume is a match, you move on to step 2 in the interviewing process.


Here's a few examples:
Scenario # 1 


Job:  Insurance Customer Service



Candidate A's experience: receptionist in a doctors office


Skill set:  Two year's customer service experience in a medical environment


Under the actual job you will provide more specific information.


Scenario #2
Job: Writer


Candidate B's Experience: Real Estate secretary who assisted in preparing/editing the weekly/monthly newsletter


Skills set: Contributor and editor to the ABC Company weekly newsletter


Once again, provide more specific details under the actual job



Most individuals have more experience than they realize. Even those fresh out of school, usually did some type of volunteer work that can be emphasized as an asset. The important thing to remember is to emphasize even the smallest skills when it is relevant to the job. Don’t fabricate a complete work history with no basis, if you make it through the interview, you will shortly realize you cannot do the job. On the other hand, if you enjoyed writing articles for your school or companies newsletter, go ahead and apply for that writers job. You are not going to know if this is the job for you unless you try. Retail store experience can be looked at as live customer service. Organizing a fundraising campaign for your child's soccer team is marketing experience. 
 
When you are lucky enough to do something you enjoy, it shows.  A happy worker is a better worker, and employers, even virtual ones know this.  Now all you have to do is prepare that jump off the page skill set that says I'm just what you're looking for.