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Tips

Your resume may receive only a 30 second scan before it is tossed into the wastebasket or placed in the small file of "those for further consideration." So it must highlight the things which employers look for.

Here are some of the words which employers like to see in a resume. If they are scanned electronically, using them creates a positive reaction. To this general list, be sure to add any words which the employer used in describing the job.

Languages
In today's global market place, a second language is definitely a plus. If you know an additional language, be sure to highlight it.

Computer
If you have a good working knowledge of computers, emphasize that fact. Specifically list the systems and software programs that you are familiar with. Do you have software design experience?

Experience
Employers generally prefer to hire persons with experience in a field, or at least persons who have had some work background. If you have worked in a related area, emphasize it. If you are just out of school, cite your summer and part-time work background.

Achievements / Accomplishments
What you did may not be as important as your success in carrying it out. Can you cite specifics and/or statistics to document your good work? Did you receive any honors or special recognition for your effort?

Hard Working
Hard work is important. Try to convey the fact that you are the kind of person who stays with a job until it is done well.

Teamwork
Many of today's jobs involve cooperative effort within teams. Many employers want workers to be effective in working in a team environment.

Task-Oriented
Do you make the immediate assignment your main concern? Do you use all possible techniques to complete it well and on time? Can you document this skill by describing some project from the past?

Customer-Service Oriented
In almost every job there is an element of customer service. Whether you deal face-to-face with external customers, or with the internal customers who are your co-workers, providing service is a vital skill. Showing that you understand key principles in serving a customer will go a long way with an employer.

Flexible
Life is full of compromises. Every day requires dozens of adjustments. Projects and job demand changes are frequent. Your ability to adjust to changes in the work environment is important.

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