by Kim Isaacs
Monster Resume Expert

A resume is a chance for job seekers to make a great first impression, yet many
blue-collar workers pay little attention to this important document. Follow these tips
to create a resume that gets noticed.

Open with a Bang

The first section of your resume should pack the strongest punch. Steven
Provenzano, president of Streamwood, Illinois-based Top Secret Resumes and
author of Blue Collar Resumes, recommends leading with an objective statement
--also sometimes called a career summary or career profile -- that emphasizes key
skills.

"A resume is a marketing piece," he says. "Most resumes strictly list jobs, but you
want to go beyond that by writing a summary of the most important skills for your
current objective. Employers should want to hire you from the summary alone."

Think about what employers are looking for, and incorporate your matching skills
and other credentials. Include these facts:

• Your profession/trade specialty
  
  
• Licenses, permits and certifications
  
  
• Years of experience in the field
  
  
• Important skills and industry keywords
  
  
• Equipment or machinery you can operate
  
  
• A brief mention of top career accomplishments
  
  
• Work Your Work History
  
  The Work Experience section is your chance to prove your level of skill and
  accomplishment. Instead of writing a boring list of job duties, show how your work
  performance contributed positively to your employer's operation. "Quantify your
  accomplishments, and paint a picture of what you achieved," advises Provenzano.
  
  Blue-collar workers often have trouble identifying their achievements, because they
  feel they are just doing their jobs. Provenzano recommends thinking about
  responsibilities and achievements you may take for granted to include in your
  resume. For example, tout your excellent attendance or safety record as an
  achievement. If you're having a hard time identifying your accomplishments, ask
  yourself these questions:
  
  
• Did you win any awards or receive incentives for your work performance?
  
  
• Did you earn superior marks on performance evaluations?
  
  
• Did you train new employees?
  
  
• Did your work enable the team to complete a project on time or on budget?
  
  
• Did you earn a perfect safety rating?
  
  
• Did you complete any special training?
  
  
• Did you build a reputation for reliability?
  
  
• Did you complete all jobs with zero defects or errors?
  
  
• Did you recommend or implement processes that improved efficiency,
  productivity or workflow?
  
  
• Did you submit all reports on time?
  
  Mention Related Education
  
  Employers like to see hands-on education and training related to your trade. Use
  your Education section to list schools attended, vocational training, continuing
  education, certifications and licenses. If you completed a program, list courses
  completed so employers understand the scope of your formal training.
  
  Proofread
  
  Provenzano says that grammatical and spelling errors are common on blue-collar
  resumes. Avoid embarrassing mistakes that could cost you the job by thoroughly
  proofreading your resume. Show your resume to at least a couple of people with
  strong writing skills to make sure the document is error-free. Treat your resume
  as an advertisement for your services, and the extra attention to detail could lead
  to better job opportunities.