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Will a salad appeal to you, if just chopped and kept; or is it the dressing and the way it is presented, that makes the dish look more appealing? The analogy, and the answer, is apt when it comes to discussing a résumé as well.

You do not have to mourn if you've not yet got a single interview call. All you need to do is update your résumé in a manner that will appeal to your prospective employers.

"To sell any product, you need to advertise it well. You are a product, when it comes to job hunting; a résumé is like an advertisement that presents you in the best light. It is a window to your personality and to your achievements. The primary purpose of a résumé is to convince a prospective recruiter / employer that you deserve to be called for an interview. It should be enticing, convincing and must project your capability to be successful. It should be so tantalizing, that the employer should pick up the phone and dial your number," advices Santrupt B. Misra. HR Head, Aditya Birla Group.

The perfect résumé must be a perfect blend of both content as well as format. "Apart for the format that is eye-catching and professional to look at, the content of the résumé is vital. A résumé should be informative, yet focused. It must stand apart. It is selling a product. It should focus on the employer's committee needs and 'sell yourself' better than your counterparts. Moreover, a résumé should be concise, using bullet point phrases," says Preeti Joshi. Head - Branch Operations, with Matrix Consultancy, a renowned job placement cell. Do not experiment with it, because before you walk into that lavishly done-up cabin, your CV (the 'in' name for résumé) is there, in advance. Follow the standard, reverse-chronological order format. A perfect résumé must be maximum two pages long.

The Six Dimensions

A résumé should reflect the six dimensions - innovation, maturity, leadership, teamwork, adaptability and multi-tasking skills. Progression in responsibility and achievements should be highlighted. Emphasize the relevant experience, by focusing on actions and the results achieved. Provide tangible figures, to prove how actions have translated into success.

In all, one may say, "A résumé should be crisp and effective. And the pointers, which will help you in doing so, are: -

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* Contributed by -
Chikita Kukreja,
Senior Correspondent,
The Observer of Management Education,
Article Published in Vol. 2 Issue 7 July 2007.