Too many times after reading a resume I have caught myself thinking “What is this person thinking?”. Some have been non-descriptive with too much real estate left on the page, some more condensed than an Asian city, and some trying to be a comedian on paper.

There are also a handful of resumes which have made me start at the top again when I was finished. It was descriptive, easy on the eyes, and had a sense of character. Resume’s like that are equivalent to Michaelangelo’s David.

The main difference between the regular and stellar resumes (aesthetics aside) is a real sense of purpose – to win an interview.

A great resume doesn’t just tell them what you have done but makes the same assertion that all good ads do: If you buy this product, you will get these specific, direct benefits. It presents you in the best light. It convinces the employer that you have what it takes to be successful in this new position or career. This is the common trait amongst all great resumes; it inspires potential employers to pick up the phone to ask you to come in for an interview.

To write an effective resume you have to learn how to write powerful but subtle advertising copy. Not only that, but you must sell a product in which you have a large personal investment: you. What’s worse, given the fact that most of us do not think in a marketing-oriented way naturally, you are probably not looking forward to selling anything, let alone yourself. But if you want to increase your job hunting effectiveness as much as possible, you would be wise to learn to write a spectacular resume.