Ten Tips for Employers Know Your Worth - Part 1

1.Use words wisely.

Today, the key to a good application is getting the right information to the agency representative in a fast, readable style. How do you do this? By using minimum words to provide maximum information. Just look at this example:

In this position, it was my responsibility to assist the program director on evaluating health care programs. Due to the fact that most of these centers were in rural areas, it was important that I traveled at least 3 days a week.
It's full of useless words and phrases such as due to the fact, it is important, and it was my responsibility that block your point. Cut them out for a stronger, easy-to-access message:

In this position, I assisted the program director on evaluating health care programs. Because most of these centers were in rural areas, I traveled at least 3 days a week.

Repeats can slow your message, too. Look at this line:

I worked with new law enforcement officers who were just entering the force and needed to learn techniques for identifying and interrogating suspects who they suspected of illegal activity. In my capacity, I trained them on these techniques.

Notice that new law enforcement officers and who were just entering the force say the same thing? So does suspects and suspected of illegal activity. Less obvious is the repeated work with and trained. The revision would read:
I trained new law enforcement officers on techniques for identifying and interrogating suspects.
2. Keep sentences short and clear.

Short, direct sentences help the agency get your point. But remember, don't duplicate your resume. Rather, you are elaborating on significant points in full sentences. This line is so long:

My 12 years as a customer service representative have given me the opportunity to become comfortable speaking to virtually anyone and to answering questions calmly and professionally even when the person I am speaking to is upset.
It practically leaves the reader out-of-breath. By breaking up sentences, your point is more flowing:

My customer service representative experience provided opportunities to sharpen my skills. For example, I am comfortable speaking to virtually anyone. I can answer questions calmly and professionally, even when the person I am speaking to is upset.

3. Make your message stand out.

Paragraphs that are easy-to-see are more than nice - they can make or break your message. So remember, keep your paragraphs brief, usually between 5 and 10 lines depending on content. Put important points first - where they are most visible. Here are some possibilities:

Short paragraph
While an associate editor for Agricultural Magazine, I selected each month's special features on scientific findings and agricultural economics; hired five diverse new writers, all with scientific backgrounds; and reviewed all copy to ensure a style accessible to readers ranging from rural farmers to university researchers.

Sub headers
While an associate editor for Agricultural Magazine, I was responsible for:

Critical content decisions. I selected each month's special features on the relationship between scientific findings and agricultural economics, among other articles.

Quality of articles. I reviewed all copy to ensure the style was accessible to readers ranging from rural farmers to university researchers.

4. Focus on outcome.

What is the most important aspect of your work experience? The answer may be a surprise: the outcome. In fact, you'd be amazed by how many people forget to mention this critical aspect of their experience altogether. When discussing outcome, be sure to discuss the whats, the hows, and the breadth and scope of your experiences:

1.What occurred. Did you improve the workplace? Perhaps you refined technology tools, created programs, or organized procedures. Regardless, let the agency know what occurred. Use brief examples to best illustrate your point whenever possible.

2.How much and how many. Did you start new projects? How many? Did you save your previous office money? Time? How much? Don't forget percentages, numbers, and degrees that apply.

Notice how this example falls flat because it ignores the outcome:

As a supervisor at Early Start, I oversaw the development of grant proposals. While in this position, I put systems in place to ensure that my employees provided the government with the exact information it needed.

While this revision is more revealing...and competitive:

As a supervisor at Early Start, I oversaw a team of 10 employees who developed grant proposals. While in this position, I developed a template-based system to help my coworkers anticipate requirements. This helped us meet all deadlines a week in advance and create proposals that won us two grants more than the previous year.

5. Showcase your role.

Did you work on your own? As part of a team? In a supervisory capacity? As a team leader? Let the agency know your role in the projects. For example, this response:

I helped put together conferences. Among my responsibilities were sending invitations, calling potential guests, and preparing the conference materials. would be stronger if worded this way:
As part of a team of five employees, I helped put together conferences. My responsibilities included sending invitations, calling potential guests, and preparing the conference materials.

Were you promoted while working on a project? If so, mention that too. Note, for example, this response doesn't mention a promotion:
In my last position, I spent 2 to 3 months at a time in the field collecting samples for the study. The following year, I spent most of time in the lab, only going to the field occasionally.

while this revision does:

In my position as Project Manager, I spent 2 to 3 months at a time in the field, overseeing 5 specialists who assisted me in collecting samples for the study. The following year, I was promoted to Senior Project Manager which required that I spent more time in the lab. As a result, I only went to the field occasionally.