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Recruiters and hiring managers spend only seconds skimming a resume before deciding how to proceed. They may choose to read further, or they may eliminate the candidate immediately. It is the responsibility of each job seeker to create a resume that will attract their attention and make them want to pick up the phone. An opening statement is a good first step. Here are some tips for creating a statement that will keep the reader interested.

  • Be focused. Never start with a general statement. Think about the questions a recruiter or hiring manager might have about your experience, and answer the most crucial questions in your opening sentences. Rather than saying that you are an administrative assistant with over 10 years’ experience, consider adding some of your accomplishments. For example: “Administrative assistant supporting the CEO of Fortune 100 Company for 10 years, resulting in recognition as employee of the year on three separate occasions. Successfully implemented an employee contribution program which rose over $100,000 annually for local charitable causes.”
  • Be concise. Resumes are trending away from large blocks of text. Many recruiters and hiring managers want to see something that is visually easy to read, that uses short, strong statements and bullet points. Your opening statement shouldn’t be several paragraphs. Keep it short but packed with important information, including data and statistics. For example, “Accounting manager with experience in auditing and Sarbanes-Oxley. Able to save the company over $25,000 quarterly through proper compliance.” This sort of statement provides the reviewer information on the specific auditing experience and how an impact was made in the organization.
  • Manage point of view and tenses. Regardless of your skills and desired position it is important to ensure that you sound professional. Don’t write your resume using First Person statements such as “I worked 5 years in Information Technology.” It is acceptable to imply that you are the narrator of a resume; “Worked 5 years in Information Technology.” To make even more of an impact consider avoiding past tense statements and reword this to read, “5 years of proven experience in Information Technology.” Combine these statements with details and examples and your resume will provide a strong opening statement that will keep a reader interested.

Are you looking for a staffing service that can help you find your next opportunity? Contact the professional recruiters at StaffEx today!


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