How Much Can a Resume Help?

There is no doubt that having a great resume is one of the most important aspects of a job application.  Having a well-written resume that matches what the company is looking for will help your cause.  But exactly how much can it help you?  There probably isn't one right answer to this question, but I can tell you from my experience that having a great resume did worlds for me when it came to getting interviews.  With my original resume I got little to no interview requests.  But once I made some revisions to it, I found that I was getting call backs at a much more acceptable pace.

I've already gone over what should be in the ideal nonprofit resume, but there are some other ways to get the most out of it:

• A resume should be focused on the employer's needs.  While you need to tell the employer about yourself, you should make sure what you reveal will be helpful for the position they need to fill.
• Catch their attention immediately.  Employers receive countless resumes everyday, so you have to stand out if you want a chance at an interview. 
• With this in mind, the opening statement of your resume should be crafted almost like an ad for why you would be the best fit for the job.  The goal here is to make them want to continue reading.
• Have someone read over your resume who might not know your career history very well.  If they are confused about anything in it, then you should listen to their suggestions.

It's never guaranteed that every well-written resume will lead to an interview, but it does increase your chances.  And in today's job market you need to take all the extra help you can get.