Good writing centers on effective communication. The central paradox of any work of art - whether a book, a painting, a sculpture, or a motion picture - is that it brings together the minds of its creator and the minds of its audience - sometimes so closely or profoundly that the former influences the latter in a life-altering way - even though the two parties may never meet. More purpose-driven writing such as memoranda, reports, essays, and even resumes and curricula vitae also hinge on the clear conveyance of the writer's expression - his or her core message - but through avenues that, when successful, lead to direct interaction with intended audiences: in a resume's case, the job interview.
So what message must a resume convey to secure a spot at the interview table? The answer depends on another question: who exactly is the interviewer looking for? Or, more precisely, what qualities does he or she value above all others for the specific role to be filled?
It boils down to knowing the audience and their expectations. Just as you'd want to read science fiction or fantasy to be familiar enough with the genre's tropes to know how to use them - and when to break them - before writing professionally for science fiction or fantasy markets, you need to gauge what the employer is looking for in their expected hire, and tailor your resume to match those expectations as closely as possible.
The first step is scrutinizing the job posting. What will the new hire be responsible for? What do the education or experience requirements say about the qualities or skills that the employer wants to see? To what extent can your own experiences and abilities match up with what they're looking for?
At this stage in the process, it may also be wise to consider how closely the job description matches what you're looking for yourself. If the divide between the lines on your resume and the job description is wide, will you be comfortable bridging that gap if the employer chose you for the job?
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