Bullet Proof Resume
Because employers receive so many resumes, you must make sure yours will catch the employer’s attention within a 5 second glance. Your resume must read as a solid and effective marketing tool. It is the employer’s first impression of you.
We used our experience as recruitment professionals to list below the most important “Do’s and Don’ts” when writing a resume. We hope this will help you to write a bullet proof resume that will get you that job interview!
Do not send a standard resume:
One of the most common mistakes is to create a standard resume and send it to every opening. Take the time to customize your resume for each position. It is definitely worth it, as it will significantly increase your chances in landing an interview. The same point applies to your cover letters.
- Research the company’s mission and vision on their website; look for keywords and values you can use in your resume.
- Where is the company going? Are you on the same path? Make this obvious in your resume.
- For IT and engineering positions, make sure you know the methodologies and technical environments in use at the company. Highlight your experience with those in your resume.
- Analyze the job description and make sure you clearly mention the main skills in your resume.
- Recruiters know their clients. Let them advise you on how to adjust your resume for that particular position.
Make the content of your resume sell:
Know that employers don't always have the time to read through your entire resume. Make it easy for them to find the information they are looking for. If they see unrelated job titles or skills before they can find the information they are looking for, they will very likely pass on your application.
- Use keywords that are similar to the ones used in the job add.
- Bold the skills and experience that are relevant to the job you are applying for.
- Use job titles and headings that match the job you are targeting. For example, if you are applying for a .NET Developer position, make sure that for your past .NET development positions, you use the title “.NET Developer” versus “Developer”
- Sell yourself and show how hiring you would benefit the employer. Detail your accomplishments, improvements you implemented, and if possible the financial benefits your current and past employers gained thanks to your performance. Using numbers and quantifying creates vivid images in the employer’s mind, whereas general statements are easy to skip over and forget.
- Use Action and Power words. For example, do not use “responsible for …” but use words such as “Managed” “Directed”, “performed”
- Prioritize the content of your resume. Put first the most relevant information.
- Structure your work experience, mention employers, locations and dates.
- IT professionals should, for every position, detail the technical environment they worked in and how the technology was used.
- Explain gaps. Do not let an employer grow suspicious of gaps in your employment. Mention volunteer work, training or even career breaks to be a full time mom.
- Do not lie. Even small lies should be avoided. Most HR departments do background checks and if they discover a lie, it will ruin your credibility.
Do not overdo layout and design details:
- Keep the layout simple, structured, and clear. Do not use a colored background, fancy fonts or images on your resume.
- Use bullets and short sentences where ever you can. No employer will have the time or patience to read long paragraphs of text.
- Do not jam your resume with text. Allow white space between the words, lines and paragraphs, it can improve the legibility of your resume.
- Unless the employer specifically requested it, you should avoid attaching your picture to the resume.
- Make sure that the font is big enough; the smallest you should go is 11 points. Arial and Times are usually preferred.
Keep it as short and concise as possible:
It can be challenging to keep your resume to a 1 or 2 page document but as mentioned previously, employers usually do not take time to read through a long resume. They will make their decision before finishing the first page. Just remember to keep it as short as possible and focused on the information that will land you a job interview.
- Do not mention obvious information such as “Available for interview” or “References available upon request.” Once you apply for a position, it is assumed that you are available to interview and will provide references if requested.
- You do not need to detail all your work experience. Past positions that are not relevant can be listed but not detailed. Successive, short consulting assignments can usually be mentioned in one job description. Make sure to give names of a few relevant clients. More details will be asked, if needed, during the interview.
- Skip irrelevant information such as Hobbies and religion.
Proofread your resume:
Small typos or grammatical errors will decrease your chances of getting an interview.
- Make sure to proofread your own resume at least twice.
- Have someone else review your resume.
- Consider using a professional service to write your resume.
- Make sure that your resume can be emailed easily. A word format of your resume attached to an email is generally the preferred format.
Remember that you are trying to sell yourself. All of the effort that you put into creating your resume will give you an advantage over the other candidates.
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Recent News |
Jake Amir, VP, Strategic Relations was elected to the Board of Directors for MKSSA – Missouri & Kansas Search and Staffing Association.
MKSSA is the trade association for the search and staffing industry within Missouri and Kansas. It is a non-profit organization set up to provide a resource for business and individuals alike who seek a search and/or staffing provider. MKSSA is affiliated with the American Staffing (ASA) and the National Association of Personnel Services (NAPS).
As the industry resource for information, education, training, and legal representation, MKSSA communicates industry matters to association members, legislative leaders, regulators, the news media, and the general public. MKSSA strives to provide a variety of networking opportunities throughout the year, all of which are open for members and industry partners to attend!
We have moved!
Due to our growth, we have moved to a new office. Our location is in the same building. We have moved from suite 425 to suite 285. The space is larger and has a larger conference room, a kitchen and room to grow.
VantageLinks, LLC a Microsoft Gold Certified Partner is proud to announce that it obtained a additional Microsoft competencies and specializations certifications:
Web Development Competency.
Software Development Competency.
These new competencies are in addition to the following competencies VantageLinks obtained in the past:
Advanced Infrastructure Solutions competency. Within this competency, VantageLinks obtained additional competencies in Storage Solutions Specialization and Active Directory Specialization.
Small Business Specialist Community competency. Within this competency, VantageLinks obtained additional competency in Network Solutions Specialization.
Security Solutions competency. Within this competency, VantageLinks obtained additional competency in Identity & Secure Access Specialization.
Mobility Solutions competency.
Networking Infrastructure Solutions competency.
To learn more about the program, please go to Microsoft
In order for an organization to become a Gold Certified Partner, the organization must have a certain number of certified employees, client references for completed project and completed consulting engagement. In addition, VantageLinks in conjunction with Microsoft consucted a customer satisfaction survey and the results put VantageLinks at the top 99 percentile. To learn more about the program, please go to Microsoft
VantageLinks is pleased to support the Society for Information Management (SIM) – St. Louis Golf Scholarship Event 2010 in support of area children to achieve a better future by advancing their education. For more information please visit the St. Louis chapter of SIM at www.simnet.org.
The Wendi Gordon Shelist NF Foundation, Inc., a charitable not-for-profit corporation, was established in 2005 to educate the public and hospital medical personnel about the disease Necrotizing Fasciitis (which is more commonly known as the “flesh-eating disease.”) and protection from infections.The Foundation was established to give something back to the community and to turn a negative situation into a positive outcome.
To learn more, please attend our fund raiser this November 16, 2009 hosted by:
LURE
1204 Washington Ave
Saint Louis, MO 63103
With event activities sponsored by SAKS FIFTH AVENUE, items for auction from the best of St. Louis vendors, supported by the American Military Surgeons and Washington University School of Medicine Trauma Team. The fund raiser is actively soliciting donations from people interested in helping our cause. Should you wish to make a tax-deductible donation to the Foundation, please send a check to
Wendi Gordon Shelist NF Foundation, Inc.
1061 W. Monroe Street
Chicago, Illinois 60607
Thank you for your support of the Foundation and we look forward to meeting on November 16, 2009 at 8:00 pm at LURE.
VantageLinks, LLC a Microsoft Certified Partner is proud to announce that it obtained a number of Microsoft competencies and specializations:
Advanced Infrastructure Solutions competency. Within this competency, VantageLinks obtained additional competencies in Storage Solutions Specialization and Active Directory Specialization.
Small Business Specialist Community competency. Within this competency, VantageLinks obtained additional competency in Network Solutions Specialization.
Security Solutions competency. Within this competency, VantageLinks obtained additional competency in Identity & Secure Access Specialization.
Mobility Solutions competency.
Networking Infrastructure Solutions competency.
In order to obtain the above competencies and specializations, VantageLinks must maintain trained staff in the above categories and demonstrate expertise with its’ client supporting the above competencies and specializations.
For additional information please visit www.Microsoft.com.
VantageLinks, LLC, a leader in information technology consulting, outsourcing and staffing has been awarded the re-certificaton of a woman, business enterprise (WBE) by the Women's Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC) in parthership with Women's Business Development Center - Chicago. This certification indicates that VantageLinks is at least 51 percent woman-owned and operated, and certifies VantageLinks to do business as a WBE in the category of, information systems software development and IT consulting under SIC codes 7371, 7372, 7373, 7374, and 7375. VantageLinks has been certified on June, 2008. The current certification is through June, 2010.
Click Here to view our current certificate WBENC Certification Information
The Wound Care Specialization, Science and Technology (SST) conference will be held in Chicago July 17-19. The significant scientific advances in wound care require the focus of a physician who has received specific training on techniques to manage acute and chronic wounds. Leah Amir will be presenting on the value of implementing improvement processes to achieve improved patient outcomes for acute and chronic wounds. The Wound Care SST provides this needed training with hands on opportunities for healthcare professionals and hospital administration to return to their facilities and initiate improvement processes across their wound care programs. Effectively utilizing the benefits from the scientific advances in acute and chronic wound treatment managing these patients can become a satisfying process in quality improvement that leads to a positive return on investment. Process improvement is at the heart of VantageView and VantageLinks,LLC. Click Here to view the program Wond Care SST
VantageLinks, LLC, a leader in information technology consulting, has been certified as a woman, business enterprise (WBE) by the Women's Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC) in parthership with Women's Business Development Center - Chicago. This certification indicates that VantageLinks is at least 51 percent woman-owned and operated, and certifies VantageLinks to do business as a WBE in the category of, information systems software development and IT consulting under SIC codes 7371, 7372, 7373, 7374, and 7375. VantageLinks has been certified on June, 2008. The current certification is through June 5, 2009.
Click Here to view our current certificate WBENC Certification Information
In order for an organization to become a Certified Solution Provider, the organization must have a certain number of certified employees, client references for completed project and completed consulting engagement. To learn more about the program, please go to Microsoft
VantageLinks, LLC, a leader in information technology consulting, has been certified as a woman, business enterprise (WBE) by the State of Missouri. This certification indicates that VantageLinks is at least 51 percent woman-owned and operated, and certifies VantageLinks to do business as a WBE in the category of, information systems software development and IT consulting.?VantageLinks has been certified on February 2nd, 2008. The current certification is through February 1st, 2011.
Click Here to view our current certificate WBE Certification Information
Nobember 1, 2011
Jake Amir, VP, Strategic Relations was elected to the Board of Directors for MKSSA – Missouri & Kansas Search and Staffing Association.
October 15, 2010
We have moved to new office!
Due to our growth, we have moved to a new office. Our location is in the same building. We have moved from suite 425 to suite 285. The space is larger and has a larger conference room, a kitchen and room to grow.
August 25, 2010
VantageLinks, LLC and Microsoft
VantageLinks, LLC is proud to announce that it achieved a Microsoft Gold Certified Partner.
August 25, 2010
VantageLinks, LLC obtained additional Microsoft competencies certifications
In order to obtain Microsoft's competencies and specializations, VantageLinks must maintain trained staff in the selected competencies and demonstrate expertise with its’ client supporting the competencies and specializations
August 25, 2010
VantageLinks, LLC and Microsoft
VantageLinks, LLC is proud to announce that it achieved a Microsoft Gold Certified Partner.
April 26, 2010
VantageLinks is pleased to support the Society for Information Management – St. Louis Golf Scholarship Event 2010 in support of area children to achieve a better future by advancing their education.SIM is an association of senior IT executives, prominent academicians, selected consultants, and other IT thought leaders built on the foundation of local chapters, who come together to share and enhance their rich intellectual capital for the benefit of its members and their organizations.
November 5, 2009
VantageLinks, LLC is please to be a proud sponsor and organizer for the Wendi Gordon Shelist Necrotizing Fasciitis Foundation (WGS NF)
Our mission to help raise awareness of the disease, improve the diagnosis, and treatment of the disease and through research eradicate the disease. The Event invitation is being delivered to over 3,500 attendees of the Association of Military Surgeons, the Washington University School of Medicine Division of Acute and Critical Care as well as key members of the St. Louis community. We anticipate 350-500 people will attend the fund raising event.
August 17, 2009
VantageLinks, LLC obtained multiple Microsoft competencies certifications
In order to obtain Microsoft's competencies and specializations, VantageLinks must maintain trained staff in the selected competencies and demonstrate expertise with its’ client supporting the competencies and specializations
June 28, 2009
VantageLinks, LLC received WBEC certification extension to 2010
VantageLinks, LLC, a leader in information technology consulting, outsourcing and staffing has been certified as a woman’s business enterprise (WBE) by the Women's Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC)
June 14, 2008
VantageLinks, LLC president Leah Amir is the feature speaker at the Wound Care SST conference in Chicago
Ms. Leah Amir, VantageLinks, LLC, President and CEO is the feature speaker at the Wound Care SST conference in Chicago.
June 12, 2008
VantageLinks, LLC is now certified WBENC
VantageLinks, LLC, a leader in information technology consulting, has been certified as a woman’s business enterprise (WBE) by the Women's Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC).
January 2, 2008
VantageLinks, LLC and Microsoft
VantageLinks, LLC is proud to announce that it achieved a Microsoft Certified Solution Provider.
February 6, 2008
VantageLinks, LLC, is now certified WBE
VantageLinks, LLC, a leader in information technology consulting, has been certified as a woman’s business enterprise (WBE) by the State of Missouri.
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