Tips for Improving Your Resume

Job searching is a constant process. People are always moving from one position or career to another. Many times job descriptions will outline a number of skills and qualifications they would like a candidate to possess. Typically, the job requirements are presented in quick lists to help the job seeker determine how well their skills match the needs of the employer. But, what skills are the descriptive bullet points really asking for?

Below I have tried to define two skills to help remove the ambiguity from the descriptions to help you market yourself during your next job lead.

Strong communication and interpersonal skills: Knowing what to say and how to say it directly affects your professional image and the reputation of the company you work for. 

• Writing: Ability to convey ideas to a reader using targeted word choice, grammar, document formatting and an organized sequence of thoughts. Know who you are writing to and what you are trying to help your audience understand.

• Verbal: Ability to speak clearly in the volume and tone that reflect the message being conveyed. Again word choice and voice are very important to convey the importance, urgency or humor in what you are trying to say. Are you comfortable speaking to superiors, customers and other employees? Can you give presentations in front of others with ease?

• Ability to listen: When someone else is speaking you can pay attention to their viewpoints, ideas and message without interrupting. You know how to apply their ideas to current events within the organization. You try to fully understand why another person is saying and how it relates to your conversation.

Proper phone etiquette: At work, speaking on the phone means you are communicating with customers, vendors, accounts, business partners or reporters. Since there is no face-to-face interaction, using proper phone etiquette will determine the image the person on the other side of the phone will create of you and the business you work for.

When speaking on the phone remember:

• Never eat, drink or chew gum while on the phone.
• Always have a pen and paper available to write with.
• Stand or sit up straight and smile into the phone and it will translate through your voice. This will help you maintain a clear, friendly and positive tone.
• Before placing the caller on hold, ask their permission and thank them for holding.
• If you think the caller may be left on hold for a while, ask their permission to call them back. Then, be sure to call back.
• Listen when the caller is speaking and do not interrupt or speak until they have finished.
• Do not argue with the caller. Try to resolve the situation.
• If you cannot speak ask for the caller's best phone number to reach them at and the best time to return a call without seeming rushed.
• Only hang up after the caller has hung up first. 

Each job description and skill has a number of distinct qualities. Before applying for a job be sure to understand what the short terms mean and how you can use the definition to market your skills.