Getting your resume noticed by a prospective employer is an art, especially in a down economy. As a result, you have to find a way to stand out from the stack of resumes, which is something I’m quite adept at doing.

After my employer laid me off in February 2009, one of the first things I did was create an online resume on Monster and CareerBuilder; however, I also prepared a Word version of my resume. I have learned that recruiters always ask for a Word version of my resume, so I make sure that presentation is everything in the one I provide. Here are a few guidelines I suggest when preparing your resume for a prospective employer:

Customize/Create Your Own Look & Feel

I realize that not everyone is adept in Word or designing templates from scratch, so some people use the standard templates available in Word. Unfortunately, many use those same designs and never change anything to personalize the look of the resume. A prospective employer will not discard your resume if you use standard Word templates; however, if you have a personal stamp to your resume’s design, it is likely to stand out.

If you are using a standard Word template, take time to tweak the design. If you are a proficient Word user, try creating your own resume template. You can always refer to the templates as a guideline. Look at different resume template styles, and mix and match the things you like to create your own look for your resume. While you should keep your resume’s design professional, you can also be a little creative. For my resume, I used a clip art design in the header to designate my profession. When I interviewed with my prospective employer (now my current employer), the hiring manager commented on the impressive design and structure of my resume. Therefore, how your resume looks matters and creates a lasting impression if designed well.

Use the Active Voice & Passive Voice Appropriately

If you are currently working and seeking a new position, use the active voice to describe your current responsibilities. List your responsibilities for previous positions held using the passive voice. If you are currently unemployed, write all of your previous positions using the passive voice; you will not use the active voice since you are currently unemployed.

If you need a refresher in language arts on the active voice vs. passive voice, let me give you a couple of very easy examples:

• Active Voice: The barrista is making fresh coffee.
• Passive Voice: Fresh coffee was made by the barrista.
• Active Voice: The team will decide how to proceed with an issue.
• Passive Voice: The issue will be decided upon by the team.

For more information on active voice and passive voice, check out the Owl website, or refer to a writing guidelines reference book.

Use Action Words to Describe Roles & Responsibilities

Use action words (verbs) as the very first word when describing your roles and responsibilities for each position. To provide another language arts refresher, let me give you examples of action words.

• Example One: Prepares flyers, postcards, brochures, and other marketing materials
• Example Two: Develops executive presentations

The word “prepares” is the action word in example one, and the word “develops” is the action word in example two. These examples also use the active voice rather than the passive voice. To reiterate, use the active voice for the action word if you are currently employed and seeking a new position. You would only use passive action words for previously held positions.

• Example Three: Prepared flyers, postcards, brochures, and other marketing materials
• Example Four: Developed executive presentations

The word “prepared” is the action word in example three, and the word “developed” is the action word in example four. These examples use the passive voice rather than the active voice. Use the passive voice for the action word if you are currently unemployed and seeking a position and/or have previously held that position.

Update Your Resume Regularly

I usually update my resume template once a year to give it a fresh look and feel in the design and layout. The look and feel of my resume often does not change drastically, unless I spot a new template design style I want to try. However, I do change the font styles, bullet types, and other design elements to give my resume an upgrade.

I update my resume every three months to add new responsibilities, skillsets/software, etc. If you wait for long time periods before updating your resume, you might forget a new skill, award/honor, etc. you’ve acquired. Additionally, you will spend less time reviewing your resume for a job opportunity if you keep it updated every three months. You never know when a new opportunity comes your way, so it is beneficial to you to keep your resume updated regularly with new information.

Other Resume Tips

• Use font styles and sizes appropriately – Do not use more than three font styles in your resume, and if you mix and match font styles, make sure they complement each other. If you want to use a sans-serif font (i.e. Arial, Tahoma, or Helvetica), use a standard font that other users are likely to have on their PC. The same applies for serif fonts (i.e. Times New Roman, Palatino Linotype, or Georgia). The key is to stick with a font style that looks professional. In addition, your font size should not be smaller than 11 pts.
• Proof, proof, and re-proof your resume – Check for typos, discrepancies in font sizes/font types, and misused words. If your resume has errors, it creates the impression that you are not attentive to details.
• Check for spelling and grammar issues – Use Word’s built-in spell and grammar check feature; however you should also refer to a writing guideline (online or in a book).
• Make sure your electronic resume is in a compatible format – By default, Word 2007 uses the .docx file format when saving files. Not everyone has the ability to download the compatibility pack if viewing your resume at the office. Therefore, save the file in a Word 97-2003 compatible format (.doc) if you’re using Word 2007.
• Send a cover letter with your resume if initiating contact with a prospective employer – If you didn’t initiate the contact, be sure to include a short cover letter with your resume.
• Use 1-inch page margins for all margins, and use .5 inch spacing for your header and footer.
• Print your resume on 8.5×11 inch white paper that does not smudge (if providing a hardcopy of your resume).

Download:

• View sample resume.
• Download my custom resume template.

I was laid off for 48 days after getting laid off on February 2, 2009. On March 23, 2009, I walked back into an office complex as an employee. In this economy, I consider finding a job so quickly a miracle. As I chronicled on Twitter, I’m extremely grateful and thankful to be working again. Thanks to everyone who has been supportive of me during my layoff. I appreciate you.

On February 2, 2009, I was terminated by my employer due to business considerations. In short, I was laid off due to cutbacks, which was an effect of the economic downturn hitting everyone, everywhere. I can’t say that I didn’t see this coming, so I wasn’t overly shocked when they told me. Somewhere in the back of my mind, I had been mentally preparing myself for this possible outcome for several months. I tried to stay positive and hoped that the down economy wouldn’t grab me in its clutches, but I couldn’t evade its hungry claws.

I worked for my former employer for nearly two years. I left my Fortune 500 corporate job due to the corruption and craziness going on around me for an opportunity at a small firm. I felt I would be relatively safe from the corporate politics which plagued me previously, which I was, and somewhat safe from the huge, annual layoffs that the Fortune 500 company I worked at. All in all, working for my former employer was not a bad experience. I appreciated them for rescuing me from my corporate gig and gave my all (and then some) the two years that I worked there. Yes, I had my frustrations like anyone would at any job, but other than my own desire to change careers in recent months, it wasn’t a totally miserable experience working there.

Still, I wasn’t blind to what was going on around me. I didn’t ignore the decision by my former employer to forgo raises last year. I paid attention to the warning signs at the last employee meeting last month. I was getting ready to prepare. I was going to start looking for a new job. I thought I had at least a few months before the axe dropped; however, I was all wrong about the timing. Way wrong.

When I was called into the conference room for an impromptu meeting, I already knew what was coming. I could see it on the managers’ somber faces when they looked at me as I sat down. I could see that they did actually regret terminating my employment due to cutbacks. I also could see that they expected me to react badly to the news, and when I didn’t, I could also see the surprise in their faces. Why the surprise?

• Because I took the news with class and didn’t have a freak out
• Because I told them that I understood
• Because I kept my head up and told them that I will land on my feet with a smile on my face
  
• Because I remained cool when I should have been hot before packing my things and taking that long walk towards the elevator

I know I left a good impression that my former employers won’t forget. I know that one day they will regret letting someone as talented, sharp, and intelligent like me go. But one person’s loss is another person’s gain. In the mean time, I’m just trying to deal with a new and totally foreign experience…being an involuntary free agent.

I have worked steadily since I was 15 years old. Finding myself involuntarily unemployed is an entirely new situation for me. I never have been unemployed unless I chose to be during some of my college years. Otherwise, I have always worked and taken care of myself. I prided myself on being financially dependent at an early age and relying on myself for anything I needed or wanted. There have been times in the past when I have been down to my last few dollars, but I would rather suffer in silence until a check arrived rather than ask anyone for financial assistance. It’s not that no one would help me because they would. It’s just that I have this thing called pride, and the need to be dependent on myself has been ingrained in my soul for many, many years. When it comes to helping others financially or in any other capacity, that’s easy for me to do. When it comes to others helping me in terms of financial assistance…well, I don’t do so great in that area. Again, I have this thing about taking care of myself without anyone’s help. Letting someone else take care of me is not something I’m good at doing. However, I realize there may be a point that I have to depend on someone else…at least for a little while. It’s not something that’s easy for me to deal with by any means, but I will have to learn to swallow my pride if and when it’s necessary.

If you have been following me on Twitter, I described some of the emotions I was feeling throughout the past few days: shock, numbness, disbelief, calmness, depression, and even some positivity. I’m not bitter, and I’m not really angry. I think I have spent about an hour this week being really upset, but I pulled myself together and tried to look on the bright side because there is one.

I had been unhappy for months at my former job. I had more than a few days where I felt like quitting on the spot because I felt like I was suffocating. I was suffocating because there was an artist trapped inside the business clothes that’s been screaming to get out. I reached a point where a career change was in order – one that involved doing something artistic and something that I had passion for. I still feel that way, and maybe what happened to me was a wake up call to really pursue my dreams with fierce determination and sharp focus. So in a weird way, I equate being laid off as being set free from my cage after banging my head against the bars all these years. Nothing happens without a reason. I don’t feel like I was set free only to fail outside of the zoo. There is something good out there in the wilderness, and I will wander upon it.

I’ve been writing since I was in middle school. The first fictional piece I ever wrote was a play for my English class. We were given an assignment to come up with ideas, write a play, and perform the play in front of the class. None of the classmates in my group wanted to take responsibility for writing the play, so I decided to do it. Other than my English assignments for class, I had no kind of writing experience or interest in writing. But I took up the task of writing the play and eventually ended up directing it as well. I guess I did a pretty good job at it since my group got an “A” and a standing ovation from our fellow classmates. Even though my English teacher pulled me to the side and told me that she saw me becoming a great writer one day, that career path wasn’t in my future. I struggled against the idea of being a writer vs. the career path my parents had drilled in me for years: college and a good job that would make me lots of money. Even though I continued to write fictional stories, I kept going down the path my parents wanted for me for the most part. I dropped out of college but did end up landing a good job where I make “lots of money.” The problem is, I don’t want a job anymore. That’s just not enough for me. This 9 to 5 crap just isn’t working for me, and I’m struggling with it more and more cause I’m suppressing my artistic nature for a lifeless career in IT.

I’ve been pursuing my writing career off and on for the past several years. I admit that I haven’t been agressive enough in sealing the deal. I feel like I’m inches away from grasping the golden ring, but something (life) trips me up, preventing me from finally taking it. I know I have the talent and drive needed to be successful as a writer…as a published author. I just need to really be persistent this time and not let anything else get in the way. Every day at my 9 to 5 gig makes me suffocate. I litterally have to motivate myself every Monday not to call in and get up and go to work. When I’m writing, I don’t have that problem because I’m doing something I love. So I’ve decided, I want a career doing something I love rather than one where I’m suffering being at a cubicle every second of every workday.

Screw the 9 to 5 gig.

Screw the same boring IT crap.

Screw the world of conformity.

I’m a writer. I’m going to get a book deal. I’m going to have a book on the shelves. I’m going to say one day, “I quit this b*tch!” and live my life as a full time artist. I have to be who I am.

It’s not unusual for me to see people riding bikes in my city, but I typically notice them near the college campuses and on Sundays where people are masquerading as Lance Armstrong in the Tour de France. However, I have noticed bicyclists sharing the road with motorists in places where I previously didn’t see them. My city has had bike lanes for years on certain highways, but you never saw any bikers using them until the gas price scams hikes. While I’m all for people who choose to bike around the city, some are doing so at the expense of their lives.

While I’m sure bike messengers and bikers (in general) dying in New York and other larger cities is a common experience, that’s not the case where I live. My city is downright small when you compare it against New York, Los Angeles, and even Miami. However, my city is large enough where we have busy morning rush hour and evening commute traffic jams between 4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. In fact, there has been an alarming rise in bicycle deaths and serious accidents over the past few months, enough to garner ongoing coverage in the newspaper here. Based on what I’ve read, the bicyclists who are getting hit by motorists are almost always at fault. They weren’t following the rules of the road and as a result, they are landing in hospitals with serious injuries or worse because of it. As motorists, we have an obligation to share the road responsibly with bicyclists, but in many cases, the bicyclists don’t seem to reciprocate. I think some believe they have the right of way at all times and that it’s okay to break the rules of the road. It’s either that or they’ve seen too many underground bicycle videos and think they’re in an alley cat race (with non-existent bicyclists) when they’re on the road.

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As a public service announcement, I just want to tell the “newbie” bicyclists who are commuting to work that the road rules apply to you as well. No one – unless they’re road raging or insane – wants to purposely hit a bicyclist. So be safe, wear reflective clothing, and remember that looking out for each other (motorists and bicyclists) is a two-way street.

Adam Curry’s Daily Source Code

Aside from the fact that Adam was one of my favorite MTV VJs back in the day, I just find this podcast enjoyable. He discusses a little bit of everything, which can include tech, world politics, his dealings with the TSA, his family, and music, of course. I love the fact that Adam is wide open with all guns blazing, hence why his podcast is one (among several that I listen to) with the “explicit” tag.

Buzz Out Loud

If you want daily tech stories with a humorous slant, then the Buzz Out Loud podcast is for you. If you’re familiar with Mahalo Daily’s Vernonica Belmont, then you may or may not be aware that BOL is the podcast she worked on before leaving. However, hosts Molly Wood, Tom Merritt, and Jason Howell are holding things down quite nicely.

Mysterious Universe

I just recently discovered the Mysterious Universe podcast and have been hooked ever since. This podcast covers everything supernatural: ghost hauntings, thunderbird (not the email app) and bigfoot sightings, UFO news, and other supernatural phenomena. If you are a believer and follow the ways of Agent Fox Mulder, then this is a podcast you will enjoy.

The Totally Rad Show

The Totally Rad Show covers movies, games, comics, TV shows, and also has some pretty hilarious movie shorts at the beginning of each episode. The only reason I watched this show in the beginning is because I am a Diggnation fan and wanted to check out Alex’s new show. I didn’t like it at first, so I unsubscribed and came back later to discover an improved and very entertaining podcast.

Wine Library TV

Get this: I don’t drink at all. I’ve only ever drank once in my entire life (wine), and the little that I had gave me a headache. Wine or drinking any kind of alcoholic beverage is not something I’ve ever concerned myself with; however, that doesn’t mean that I’m not interested in being cultured. And trust me, host Gary Vaynerchuck makes that really easy to do. His wine podcast is quite funny, and I just enjoy his enthusiasm that he has over wines.

Honorable Mentions:

• The NovaJava Blend
• NeverRain
• Cranky Geeks
• Net@Night