Preparing a resume can feel overwhelming. You may worry that your vocabulary is limited, your sentence structure wobbly, and your punctuation weak.

Worry no more! You can get help with those basics. But there is something only you can do. And that is list the essential elements of a solid resume so a hiring manager will read it through the first time and then take a second look—maybe even a third.

Here's what to do:

• Place your name and contact information flush left. Include phone numbers and e-mail address.

• State your objective simply and clearly: A position as a Clothing Store Manager

• Write a short summary of your qualifications: good communicator and leader, friendly personality, knowledgeable about the clothing industry, organized and goal-oriented. Note the clear yet simple wording.

•  List your last two jobs, the start and finish dates, name of company or organization, city and state. Write one or two short sentences describing your responsibilities. Example: As assistant store manager my responsibilities included monitoring inventory, conducting new employee trainings, and helping the store manager with day-to-day operations and staffing.

• State your training or education such as: Community College or Community Trade School, the date you finished and the city and state.

• Put down any awards or recognition you received such as: Customer Service Award, the date and the name of the organization that honored you. Example: Retail Professionals of America, Community Service Award.

Remember:  PRECISE IS NICE!

 
A hiring manager receives a large volume of resumes each day. The pile from one day may spill into the next and so the stack grows. He or she has only a few seconds to glance at each resume and make a decision: STASH (for later) or TRASH (for good).

If you want yours to go into the STASH pile for a second viewing, follow the proven suggestions above. Use friendly, clear language that briefly describes your experience and qualifications.

Then send it off and relax. You've done your part. Now it's up to the hiring manager.

However, you can be certain that a well written resume that goes to the heart of what he or she is looking for in a future employee will gain attention and that special phone call or e-mail that says, "Let's together for an interview. I liked your clear and precise resume."