Resume Makeover: Before

When Carter Sieck asked if I could improve her resume based on the resume writing advice I am known to dispense on a daily basis, I gladly took up her challenge.

First of all, let me say that your resume is the first impression -- whether on paper or online -- that a prospective employer has of you prior to an interview. A great resume will make the decision-maker sit up and take notice of your talents, experience, and accomplishments presented in a strong, polished format.

Remember, your resume has to stand out from the crowd -- or more accurately, the stacks of other resumes piled up in front of the Personnel Director or senior executive in charge of hiring for any given position. In addition to presenting your career experience, you have to set up the resume in such a way that the hiring authority can quickly scan down the page and see at a glance what you can bring to his/her company.

Here's how Carter's resume looked before the makeover:

Jocelyn Carter Sieck 123 Main Street Anywhere, AW 11111 Home (123) 456-7890 Work (770) 300-9272 Email: carter@headhunter.net
Summary	A highly motivated professional with experience in marketing, advertising and direct mail. Proven skills in brand management, push-pull marketing, project management, trafficking, budgeting, and teamwork. Excellent written and verbal communication skills. Works well in dynamic team-oriented environment.
Experience	Headhunter.net Marketing Manager	Aug. 1998 - Present
	Manage design firm. Track and analyze Internet adver- tising deals. Coordinate the design and production of all advertising, print and online, direct mail and collateral pieces. Proficient in production and trafficking of ads, direct mail and collateral material. Significant experience in Internet and World Wide Web advertising, media planning and buying. Directly responsible for conven- tion booth design and implementation and convention planing and presence - $XXXXXX budget.
	RelevantKnowledge Marketing Manager	Feb. 1997 - Aug. 1998
	Manage advertising agency and design firm. Direct responsibility for $XXXXXX marketing budget. Co- ordinate the design and production of all collateral material, and direct mail pieces. Proficient in production trafficking and creative management for direct mail, advertising and sales support materials. Assisted in managing inaugural national advertising campaign, including media planning for print as well as Internet. Significant experience in Internet and World Wide Web advertising and media planning. Facilitate strategic planning and positioning of RelevantKnowledge brand, in the role of international and domestic brand manager. Manage domestic and international convention presence.
	The Travel Channel Online Editor	Nov. 1996 - Feb. 1997
	Editor of bimonthly Travel Channel "Spotlight" feature, responsible for all research, writing and editing. Repre- sentative for the Online Network at the Western Show and NCTA Press Tour. Redesign assistant for Web site upgrade. Manager and editor of college stringer writers for weekly articles published on the Web site. Research coordinator and copywriter for Mardi Gras '97 online feature.
	Anheuser-Busch, Inc. Contemporary Marketing Representative	Sep. 1995 - Sep. 1996
	Developed and executed marketing strategies in major resort markets. Increased Budweiser sales in market by 24% and Bud Light sales by 22% during six-month winter ski season. Coordinated promotion activities with retailers and wholesalers. Responsible for designing and managing on-premise promotions, formulating $XXXXXX budget and selecting local media outlets for brewery advertising campaigns.
	Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence Center Volunteer Domestic Violence Counselor	Jan. 1993 - Aug. 1995
	Worked on identifying needs and problem solving through focus group discussions, group activities and therapy. Trained co-workers and staff in counseling and group support process.
Education	Goucher College Towson, Maryland Bachelor of Arts, Psychology	May 1995
	Dean's List, Co-President Goucher College Riding Club, Varsity Women's Lacrosse Team, Reserve Champion at Intercollegiate Horse Show Association Zone Finals and National Championship competitor.
References available upon request