How Important Is A Resume

How important is a resume, really, you may wonder? If you have just graduated, or have not written a resume for years; this is a question that you may be considering. It seems like everyone has one, but what are its purposes and how important is a resume in the scope of getting a position that you are interested in? In the following discussion, we examine both the main purposes of a resume, as well as why it is so important in getting a position.

A professional resume is a presentation of your skills, experience, and education; as it relates to a career and specific position that you are interested in. Depending on the format and the information that is listed within, determines whether or not a potential employer finds you qualified and a good match for the position they might have open, and a place at their company.

The Purpose
It may seem that sending in a resume is just a formality for a career position, when if they were really interested in finding a candidate; they would just interview everyone. Well, though, only a fraction of information about a candidate can be gleaned through a resume and cover letter; it serves the purposes of allowing an employer to gauge in a small amount of time, whether a candidate should be interviewed further for the position. So, especially, in the case of a company that receives thousands of resumes for an open position, the resume process allow companies to screen out those who are not qualified; and interview a small fraction of the population who has applied. Moreover, it gives employers a guide as to what to ask the applicant if and when they are invited for an interview.

Though it may seem like the purpose of a professional resume is only for the employer; actually serves the applicant as well. How? It helps an applicant organize his or her career history and overall qualifications in a way that is concise and potent-which is absolutely necessary in the process of interviewing. It prepares an applicant’s mind for the kind of specialized questions that an employer will ask them. Moreover, it helps the applicant know the basic outline of the questions that will be asked about their history of employment, education, and transferable skills. It prepares them as well, for the interview.

With this in mind, a resume is a vital tool; not just for the purposes that it serves to screen out applicants that are unqualified and prepare both employer and applicant for the interview process; but also, because-it can mean the difference between getting an interview and not. For one, perhaps, you are better in presenting yourself on paper-in a resume-than you might be in an interview. So, even if you could have done better at an interview, the employer can still use the impression that they got from your well written resume to possibly be swayed in your direction for the position. It is one more way to impress employers.