Writing a resume: tips for getting your foot in the door. Then keeping it there.

Writing a resume often strikes terror in the hearts of otherwise brave souls. The seasoned and highly regarded professional will most likely need to prepare many updated versions of his/her original resume several times throughout his/her career. It isn't uncommon in these days of mergers and takeovers to have to apply for your own job. Always have an updated resume on file should you unexpectedly need one or want to change directions on your career path.

It is important to remember that the professional resume is the first glimpse a potential employer gets of the job applicant. It is sometimes the only opportunity you have to put your best foot forward, toot your own horn and show 'em what you've got. What you've got has got to be what they want. The question in an applicant's mind should never be "what can the company do for me?" but rather, "what can I do for this company?" The only time to ask the questions "what are the benefits?" and "what is the salary?" is after you've been given a solid job offer.

APPLY FOR WHAT YOU'RE QUALIFIED FOR

Don't waste your time or that of the human resources people applying for positions for which you have no qualifications. Carol Padgett, human resource manager for BP Exploration (Alaska) Inc., spends about five minutes reading each resume she receives and makes the decision whether to call the candidate for an interview. She said she cannot remember a time when someone has been hired who is not qualified for the job opening simply because they had a wonderful resume. Jobs with BP are high-powered and very competitive.

Does a company like BP ever hire people who send in unsolicited resumes and cover letters? Very seldom.

Cindy Schebler, president of Personnel Plus, also takes five minutes at the most to look over a resume. "As an (employment) agency, most of the resumes we receive are solicited. I would say that about 10 percent of all hiring is from unsolicited resumes and cover letters."

"Make sure your skills fit the job you are applying for and demonstrate in your resume the impact those skills have had during your relevant employment experience," said Padgett. "If you are an accountant, for instance, give examples of how much money you saved the company."

KEEP IT TO TWO PAGES

Daren Beaudo, director of public affairs with BP, noted, "Brevity is a very important consideration."

Padgett agreed. Anything over two pages is usually dismissed fairly quickly; no books, please. It's like the old line from Dragnet: "Just the facts, ma'am; just the facts." A professional resume is not the place to tell your life story of every job you've had since grade school.

According to Schebler, "the objective needs to have some sizzle, meaning that it needs to be on the same wavelength as what the employer is looking for. If it is lengthy and hard to read, it could end up in the circular file. High-quality paper, preferably gray, is a good choice. Good formatting and layout usually mean that the applicant has pretty good computer skills."

How important are cover letters? "We do look at them," said Padgett. "Cover letters are very important and a good linkage (to the resume). Cover letters can embellish upon what is contained in the resume and complement it." (Note: It is important not to add something to your cover letter that is not already mentioned on your resume; this makes it appear to be an afterthought.)

Beaudo explained that BP posts all of its job openings and they first like to hire from in-house. Job openings with the company are all online and applicants apply online as well. If a position comes up that suits someone's skills and qualifications who has applied with them previously, an e-mail notifying that person is sent informing them of the job opening.

What if you've been a job hopper? You may have to create several resumes, each one emphasizing different relevant work experience and skills pertaining to the job for which you are applying.

Do not underestimate the importance of correct spelling, grammar and punctuation on a resume and cover letter, and check any and all phone numbers you give as references. References are given on a separate sheet and not provided by the applicant until one is requested. A wrong phone number for a reference can stop the process dead in its tracks for Padgett.

Finally, remember that your resume is a photograph of you, placed in the setting of the job you want, not a collage of you wearing the many hats you've worn in the past.

Marilyn Blumer owns Arctic Sun Resumes and Editing and has been a resume specialist for 15 years.

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