Local News

Resume-Writer Offers Tips For Landing The Job

CHICAGO (CBS) ― Scott Bolon is a retail manager barely making ends meet on a job that pays him less than half of what he used to make. But it's all he could find after spending more than a year desperately looking for anything.

CBS 2's Dorothy Tucker introduced the suburban man to viewers earlier this week. Among those who saw the story was a resume-writer, who offered her skills to Bolon and tips for everyone to help make their resumes pop.

"I sent out 300 resumes," Bolon said.

He, like thousands of other underemployed Americans, hopes to find a higher paying job. Tina Brasher would like to help him.

"I was downsized in previous corporate careers," Brasher said. "I know how frustrating it can be."

Today Brasher makes her living rewriting resumes. She says Bolon shouldn't have had to send out 300.

"That tells me right away the message isn't getting across," she said. "There's something wrong with his resume."

Brasher's first step to fixing Bolon's resume or any other client's is to dump the traditional objective at the top of the page.

"'I want a career with a challenging position where there's room for growth and advancement'...companies don't care what you want," she said. "They want to know what can you do for me."

She suggests instead replacing the objective with a headline that states the exact position you're applying for. The opening paragraph summarizes your accomplishments. Under work experience, detail your skills and give examples.

And if you've been unemployed for a while, don't lie. In today's economy employers understand.

"People are looking for the right kind of job. Employers are looking for the right kind of people," Brasher said. "It can take 6 months, 8 months. It can take a year."

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