Guide to Write a Resume

Resume Networking: Beyond.com

Tips to Write a Good Resume:


  1. Keep it simple.
  2. Keep the flow easy to read.
  3. Pinpoint your objective, highlights of your career, skills you’ve learned, and your education.
  4. Get to the point.
  5. Tell the employer what you can do to make their life easier.
  6. Be honest.
  7. Customize your resume.

Keep it Simple

For most of you the resume should be one page long. Multiple page resumes are generally only used for high-paying positions. Concentrate on the information that tells the employer why you’re qualified to do the job.

Flow of Information


There are three types of resume formats that are most used. We will be using a combined format.

Section One:

  • Your first and last name.
  • Your address.
  • How you can be contacted.

Section Two:

  • An Objective Statement.
  • Highlights of your accomplishments related to the position.

Section Three:

  • Professional experience – prior work experience.

Section Four:

  • Education

Customize Your Resume


Each resume you write should be directed at the position you’re applying for. Use the following techniques to simplify the process of writing a resume designed around a job description.

Brainstorm


Don’t delve into writing a resume without brainstorming first. Sit down and make notes about your work history, skills and accomplishments without worrying about format, length, or style. Write down everything you can think of that you have down over the years.

    Begin with your education
    • What high school did you attend and when did you graduate?
    • What college(s) did you attend – what degree(s) did you earn?
    • What vocational training do you have?
    • What computer skills have you acquired (i.e. Microsoft word, Excel, Word Perfect, Access)
    • Write down each company you’ve worked for and the positions you held.
    • List and describe the skills you brought to and learned from each position.


    Write freely and take your time. You are creating the sales pitch of your life.

    You’re Career Objective


    The next step in the Guide to Write a Resume is to decide what your career objective(s) is. What industry would you like to work in, what kind of position are you interested in and what level of employment are you skilled at. You need to be clear on what you want to achieve.

    With millions of jobs posted online, in newspapers and in other publications, knowing your objective will help to narrow your search.

    Organize your skills, noted in your brainstorming session, to coincide with different job descriptions. If you have experience as a carpenter, you will likely find job offerings in home construction, commercial building construction and other fields where you are qualified to apply. You may have skills that include operating heavy equipment, experience with specific tools, or knowledge of blueprints. Your resume will be tweaked to emphasize the skills you have that fit the job description provided.

    Skills can include a number of things:

    • Management skills.
    • Project leadership skills.
    • Salesmanship skills.
    • Organizational skills.
    • Writing skills.
    • Training skills.
    • Technical skills.

    Be sure to capture all of the skills that pertain to a position you would like apply for.

    Create Your Resume


    Create a template with the four sections listed above (under Flow of Information). Save a copy of the template and begin to organize information from your notes into each section. Be careful to stick with detailed summaries of each area. You want your resume to be one page.

    Don’t use a tiny font in order to make your resume fit one page. The employer is going to do a quick scan (10-15 seconds) to determine if it’s worth reading further. If the print type and size are difficult to read, your resume will likely be tossed aside.

    Your Objective Statement


    Your objective statement is your own personal sales pitch to the employer so use it to your advantage. Use this space to quickly summarize the skills you have that show the employer why you are qualified for the job being offered. Tell the employer what you can do for him to make his life better. Keep it to one to two sentences long.

    Article Copyright © 2009 Guide to Write a Resume - Weller Solutions, LLC and joblossservices.com. All rights reserved. You have permission to copy and use this article as long as copyright and link to joblossservices.com remains with the article.

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