In Sedona and the Verde Valley, obtaining a job, especially a professional one, is highly competitive.  To rise above the crowd, a well written resume targeted to the employer's needs is crucial.

To find out what employers located in the Sedona ant the Verde Valley want to see in a resume, I interviewed three local resume-writing experts:  Victoria Ward, Director of Human Resources for the City of Sedona; Gioia Goodrum, Coordinator of Career Services at the Clarkdale Campus of Yavapai College and Dave Beach, Employment Specialist for the Career Center of the Arizona Department of Economic Security in Cottonwood.

Here are some tips that they suggested:

Make Sure Your Resume is Free of Errors

Victoria Ward emphasizes that resumes need to be professional looking and free of grammar and spelling errors.  Dave Beach suggests that job seekers have three people proof read their resume.  Two of the people can be individuals that know the kind of position that you’re applying for to ensure that it has the necessary content, and the third person should have no idea, so that they can review your resume more objectively.

A few years ago a mechanical engineer came into my office in the Boston area.  He was totally frustrated because he had been sending out resumes for three months and hadn’t gotten any interviews.  “What’s wrong with my resume?” he asked.  When I looked at the resume, I realized that he had spelled the word “engineer” incorrectly.  When I pointed out the error to him, he understood why he wasn’t getting interviews.

Create a Resume That Is the Right Length

Gioia Goodrum feels that candidates sometimes write resumes that are either too long or too short.  Professionally, I have encountered both types and I know that neither kind serves you well. One insurance executive I counseled was irate that she was being offered low-paying jobs in her industry.  When I looked at her resume, I realized that she had kept it so brief that her experience appeared to be entry level.  I have also seen resumes that are too long and contain irrelevant and dated information.  You should only go back ten years when describing your work experience.

Dave Beach feels strongly that resumes should be no more than one page long because employers don’t have time to read lengthy resumes, while Victoria Ward defines lengthy as three to four pages.

The bottom line as far as length is concerned is that your resume should contain the information that the employer needs to have to determine if you are the right candidate for the job.  Most job seekers can detail that in a one-page resume.  However, someone applying for a professional position may need two pages to address the qualifications required for the job.

Focus on What the Employer Wants

Gioia Goodrum believes that the biggest mistake job seekers make is by not presenting themselves well.  They don’t accurately depict the skills and abilities they have.  The resume is after all a marketing document, and candidates need to show an employer why they’re the right person for the job.

Victoria Ward prefers to see a resume and cover letter on good stationary and in a resume folder.  She would like candidates to answer three questions in these documents:

1. Where have you worked?
2. Why are you interested in the position?
3. What specific skills and qualifications do you have for the job?

Dave Beach says that resumes need to be concise and targeted, or they can wind up in the trash can.

Not Just One Resume

People often think their resume is set in stone once it's written, never to be changed.  But each employer is different, with different needs and expectations.  Don't be afraid to rewrite your resume so that it perfectly fits each job you are seeking.  For instance, emphasize and expand on those skills and experiences you've had in the past that best match the new job.

Do not Lie or Exaggerate on Your Resume

Avoid Using Fluff on Your Resume

When you write a resume, the most effective way to demonstrate that you have certain soft skills such as interpersonal or communication skills is to show in the experience section of the resume how you have used these skills - increased sales, provided exceptional customer service or helped clients solve complex problems.  If you want to list your skills at the top resume, write down the ones that the employer requires for the job.  That could be skills in Excel, Medical Coding or Project Bidding.

For more information, visit www.sedonatransitions.com or contact Marie King at 928-204-5691.  To find job listings in the Sedona Verde Valley, visit SedonaVerdeValleyJobs.com.

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