How to Write a Resume

Now that you know some general information about resumes and their purpose, below you will find some guidelines for putting a resume together, including some tips on what to include and what to avoid, and how to package everything together.

Start off by Asking Yourself:

• WHAT do I want to do?
• FOR/WITH WHOM do I want to do it?
• WHERE do I want to do it?
• At what LEVEL OF RESPONSIBILITY?

Information you need to include:

Education - The years you attended, name of the school, courses studied, and certificates/awards.

Career Objective - The industry or position you are applying for.

Work Experience - Any work experience that you have had that will help you look good to an employer.

Functional Format

• Write down all of your work experience as far back as you can remember. (This also serves as your master list).
• Write down what you did at each job include your responsibilities, accomplishments and duties you performed.
• Try to group your duties and skills into three or four general skill areas, and list detailed examples of how you performed these skills below each general skill area.
• Now your "Relevant Skills & Experience" section is ready to be put in your resume, and you can list the years, position, organization and city/state as your "experience" section.
  
  

Additional Resume Tips:

Be Concise and Specific

• Limit your resume to one or two pages. Your resume should say the most about you in the fewest words. One page is best, but two pages are acceptable if you have enough important information. Include only information that will make you look good to an employer.
• There should be a reason for everything in your resume. Leave out personal information such as age, race, marital status and so on.
• The only time to include photographs is in a very extensive portfolio. For the purpose of the resume, photographs should not be included.
• Avoid including the complete address of previous employers. This information should be included on a reference page. Think of all the skills and qualifications that could replace the address in just four lines!
• Be careful of including a large number of jobs you have had in the past. Try to keep the employment section relevant or specific to the position you are seeking.

Optional Additional Resume Sections

• Community Technical Service
  
• Volunteer Experience
  
• Military Experience
  
• Special Training
  
• Leadership Experience
  
• Special Skills/Interests
  
• Research Experience Personal Interests

Make a Good First Impression

• Leave out personal pronouns, for example: "Installed siding for XYZ Company" rather than "I Installed..."
• Use verbs and action, words that indicate what you did.
• Use a high quality paper, either white, off white, gray, or beige. These colors will offer distinction without distraction. Avoid blue or pastels. Be sure to purchase extra for your cover letter. Use standard paper size (8 1/2 x 11 inches). Remember if it cannot be filed easily it will be tossed. Use your good judgment.
• Get feedback. Have your coordinator, a classmate, friend or family member help you read over your resume.
• Use capital letters, italics, scripts and underlining sparingly. The purpose in using these options is to make information stand out. If they are overused, nothing will stand out.
• Be consistent in your layout and composition. Do not switch from sentences to phrases. Be sure that related headings are consistent in underlining, capitalization, and spacing.
• Use past tense for previous activities, experience or acquired skills. Present tense refers to ongoing or current activities.
• Bullet marks (o), or large dots are effective in drawing the employers attention to competencies, accomplishments, or achievements. Some use dashes (-), though they are not quite as effective.
• Use white space for eye appeal and easy reading. Use ample margins and make sure they are uniform. Use indentations and tabs for best use of space and emphasis of key points.

Aim for accuracy

• Proofread your resume. It would be wise to have several people read your resume for both content, grammar and spelling.
• Constantly update your resume. Never send out an old resume which lacks current information.
• Typing should be perfect. Computer processing with a laser printer is the best way to produce your resume. If you are using a typewriter, use a new ribbon. You should not be able to tell that any corrections have been made.

Be Careful

• Don't exaggerate. Any information you list incorrectly can be used for dismissal if they find out you lied.
• Don't use slang.
• Don't put in fancy binders or folders.
• Don't list sex, height, weight or other personal information.
• Don't list religion, race, ethnic origin or political affiliation.
• Don't include salary information.
• Don't use copies of your resume unless it's from a quality photo copier.
• Don't highlight problems.
• Don't use personal pronouns.

Ask Yourself...

• Does it draw your attention in 10 seconds?
• Does it look clean and inviting?
• Does it make the reader want to know more?

Next Section: Section 3: Resume Examples

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