Building a better resume is often reflected through the ability to clearly and accurately express the various characteristics of the individual in a way that best describes the capabilities beyond the positions that the person has held. A common trend is for the individual to focus so much attention on past experiences and current responsibilities that we fail to communicate the final step in the search process.
The resume is a road map. It shares with the reader where you’ve been, where you are today, and most importantly—where you’re capable of going. This isn’t something that’s simply shared in an objective statement at the top of a resume. It’s shared through the ability to express abilities and potential. There are many different ways that we can communicate that message, but one of the most important involves how we describe our educational background.
Education and training creates a path to personal and professional improvement. We see an individual’s education as an insight into interests and abilities, and a commitment to self-fulfillment on many different levels. But this information also provides us with something more. It shows a willingness to learn, grow, and see things in a new and different way. It shows the flexibility to expand the way we think and apply information. It shows an investment in self-improvement and the value of expanding both our ideas and opportunities.
This is why it’s important to accurately and appropriately describe your education on your resume. For example, if you’ve graduated from college, make sure that you say so. “2005 graduate, University of (Anywhere USA); Bachelor of Science in Business Administration.” The same holds true with industry certifications and related training and education. If you’ve spent the time, effort and financial resources necessary to receive a degree our complete a certification, you’ve earned the right to display your commitment accurately and completely on your resume. Make sure that you take the little extra effort to make that clear.
In order to craft a better resume, we have to be willing to look at the document through the eyes of those we are trying to impress during the selection process. They are depending on the document that we’ve presented to them to open a window and shed light on the professional that we are and how our particular talents, abilities, and experiences will successfully meet the needs of the position that they are trying to fill.
Considering the time and effort that we put into our careers and the energy that goes into developing a professional development plan, we should be willing to take the small steps that put on a successful career path. This can make a big difference in the search process, and might guide others in their decisions as well.
The post Tips for Building a Better Resume: Education Reflects a Professional Investment appeared first on LPM.