Resumes don’t have to follow any rules. Resumes are no longer the rule. They are marketing tools that sell you to potential employers. They can be as personal as the people they represent. In today’s competitive job market, resumes should be employer-driven. It’s all about how you can meet the employer’s needs.

1. Objective:

In the past, it was standard for resumes to begin with an objective statement. This stated your goal company or career. These days, those days are gone. Why? What is your objective statement? It doesn’t have to be company-driven. Employers don’t read your resume to decide if you’re a good fit for their company. They scan it to see if you’re a good fit.

Start your resume with large power words and a “billboard”, if you want to really grab their attention. Your job title, such as “Chief executive officer” or “Marketing strategist”, should be your first line of defense. This tells the employer your current career position. Next, write down your strongest strength or bonus value that you would bring to the company. For example, “Trilingual in Spanish and French” The final part of the billboard contains a summary of your professional experience, in several sentences.

A “Profile” statement is another alternative to an objective. It summarizes your professional achievements and shows how you have grown professionally. A good example of an objective is “Innovative marketing and sales specialist with a track record of outstanding performance in the pharmaceutical sector Add lots of keywords and industry-specific terminology for employers’ computers to search. If you are an accountant, keywords might include general ledger and accounts payable, and accounts receivable. Accounting, invoicing, payroll reconciliation, expense reports, and bank reconciliation. With all the computerized software that analyzes resumes and filters out those who don’t, keywords are essential to include in your resume.

2. Job Duties:

Employers want to know your job responsibilities and general duties, but they also want to know how you performed those duties. This is an essential part of your job. Employers will appreciate a brief summary of your job, in two or three sentences, and then a bulleted list listing your most noteworthy achievements and awards. This is more persuasive and provides evidence that you are capable of excelling at your job.

3. Referrals are available on request:

This statement is not required at this time. It is a common understanding that you will provide three references if requested. You can leave the item if you are short of space. If you have something that will fill a large space, don’t bother. If you need something to fill a significant space, include it. Your resume should not include the names and contact information of your actual references. This information should be on a separate piece of paper that you give to the employer if requested.

Effective resume strategies are essential if you want to be able to stand out from the crowd of job seekers on the market. Your resume should reflect you as an individual and highlight what you have done and the value you add to employers.