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In Step 2, we labeled Randy's skills with skill headings. These headings can be used for the main body of his resume. Read the lists below. Which markets Randy the best for a $28,000+ position - his job titles or skill headings?

Step 3 - Analyze Ads To Identify Skills Employers Want
Now, Randy needs to identify the top skills employers want in corporate sales positions by analyzing wants ads or job descriptions. Below, I've included a want ad for a Corporate Account Representative.

Step 4 - Select Best Job Titles or Skills Headings to Match Ads
In the first column below are the skills requested in the ad above. In the second column are the skill headings Randy listed in Step 2. We've put an asterisk * next to each of Randy's skill headings that match the ad.

Which does a better job of marketing Randy for a $28,000+ position? Skill headings or job titles?

You can see the dramatic change in Randy's image by using the New Skill Headings versus his Job Titles. Yet this is entirely truthful. By following the detailed 6 Steps worksheets in my Increase Salaries booklet, anyone from entry level to executive level can craft a much more powerful and effective resume!

Step 5 - Write Descriptions For Each Job or Skill Heading
Now, Randy is ready describe each of his skill headings. Working with clients, I ask 12 questions which are imperative in helping them describe their skills with maximum impact. All of the 12 Questions (and over 60 sub-questions) are provided in detail in Proven Resumes: Strategies That Have Increased Salaries. The 12 questions are also provided in my Career-Specific Booklets.

Below, you'll see the original statement from Randy's resume. Next, you'll see one of the 12 Questions that Randy used to strengthen the original statement. Take a moment and compare the difference between the original statement and the new statement. Which is stronger? Which markets Randy as having a broader range of skills and will generate him higher salary offers? Remember this is just one statement. You can imagine the difference in Randy's entire resume after he answered all of the 12 Questions. Again, this very simple example really explains why I've received the wonderful testimonials sprinkled throughout these workshops!

Step 6 - Complete Your Objective Statement
Once you've written the body of your resume, you're ready to complete your objective statement. Employers want to know what you can do for them - not what you want from them. A formula that works well is to name the position that you want and then to list 2 to 3 of your top skills which match the employer's needs. Below is a simple but effective objective statement.

In my Increase Salaries booklet I provide detailed worksheets to create this type of worksheet - but even better yet is the Objective Statement Formula and accompanying worksheets that I've developed which combines your objective with top, key points from the body of your resume. My Increase Salaries booklet contains 10 pages which take you step by step through the analysis of Two Objective & Qualifications sections from a resume that landed a $42,000 annual increase and another that landed a $400 a month increase (it's really true!).

Why The 6 Steps Are Critical to Resume Success!

1st  Completing the 6 Steps is critical for most job seekers since many job seekers have a wide variety of job titles that don't relate or match the image of the jobs they want. Job seekers must first identify and then deal effectively with these problems and the 6 Steps guides them through this process.

2nd Most resume books don't provide a step by step system for analyzing, understanding and then controlling the image we present in our resumes or in our objective statements. Most resume books have us list each job we've held with a short description of the duties we've performed. We're given little, if any, instruction on how to actually create an excellent resume.

We're merely shown how to plug information beneath typical headings like Objective, Education and Employment history sections. Then we're encouraged to write a few statements, usually very weak ones, to slot under these headings. This is a very ineffective way to write resumes! To create a truly effective resume, every word, every job title and every statement needs to be analyzed and slanted to market the best of what we have to offer and that means shaping the resume as we go--not just following someone else's resume. The 6 Steps chapter in my Increase Salaries booklet shows you just how to do this!

3rd Many resume books provide from 50 to 200 resume examples. However, you never know if they've been successful and there's no rhyme or reason as to why a particular resume was created the way it was. In contrast, my Strategies That Increase Salaries Booklets and my Career-Specific Booklets take you through a proven step-by-step process that focuses on identifying and marketing your unique skills.

You are then guided in using proven formats and systems that work! That's radically different than flipping through a resume book and finding a resume---that to your untrained eye looks ok---but doesn't end up landing you the interviews and salary you want! Only by developing a coherent and easy to follow resume writing system have I been able to receive testimonials like the ones below from career professionals who have used my materials to teach effective resume writing (to what I estimate to be over well over 1 million job seekers).

Following a successful formula creates a resume that works. I have used Regina's book to assist over 700 customers to produce concise and informative resumes that result in employment...and that's as good as it gets!    J. Rellis, Program Specialist

This is the most outstanding career book I've used in 2 decades of work with thousands of students. Job seekers are hired after using these powerful strategies....A must for all job seekers, career classes and counselors.  Kathleen Bernhard, PhD, Director of Counseling and Student Activities....University of Washington, Bothell

This book is the "best" out there in the Career Development field. It has assisted literally thousands of Shoreline Community College students yearly in launching careers at top salaries! Berta Lloyd, Director Professional/Technical Programs and Career/Employment Services--Shoreline Community College

Regina Pontow has written a terrific book on creating successful resumes. This is a thorough and Innovative course the presents the secrets of great resumes in a unique 'before and after' format that clearly demonstrates solid techniques and strategies for effectively marketing the job candidate to employers by putting the sizzle into the resume. The book uses actual case histories and analyses charts to demonstrate the art of creating a professionally crafted resume that is designed to get results.  Frank Fox, Executive Director, The Professional Association of Resume Writers (PARW)

Testimonials like these speak of the well-documented success of my materials and the value you'll receive if you purchase them. Also, please keep in mind that the 6 Steps chapter in my Increase Salaries booklet is 32 pages long. So, the information I've just presented is just a thumbnail sketch of these top strategies. I'm sure you've learned a lot from this workshop but please don't think it's complete compared to what's provided in the book on this topic! Now let's move to the next workshop and briefly discuss 2 Popular Resume Styles.