Make your resume work for you!
Your resume is a blueprint of your life upon which you will be harshly judged by prospective employers. (Click here for cover letter advice.) Although there are many acceptable resume formats, deciding on the best format for your skills and experience is your most important first step.
If you have an inconsistent work history with frequent periods of unemployment and a short life-span at many jobs, you should consider a functional resume format. A functional resume focuses on your skills, or a combination of your skills and education while drawing attention away from your spotty work history.
Alternatively, if you have a great deal of experience, but not a great deal of education or a diverse skill set, you should consider a chronological resume format. This format focuses on your individual periods of employment and emphasizes your experience and longevity with a history of employers.In our opinion, the ideal resume demonstrates all your best attributes while drawing attention away from weaknesses.
THE GOLDEN RESUME RULE...
Your resume should be specifically responsive to the criteria listed in the job posting. In other words, your resume should be a reflection of the job posting in the sense that your statements, claims, descriptions and examples demonstrate exactly why and how you are qualified to fill that particular position. If you do this, you will have an advantage over a significant percentage of applicants even if they are more qualified.
Resume Quick Tips:
Your resume must be grammatically perfect.- Make the filename of your resume some recognizable variation of your name - don't simply title it 'Resume'.
- Your resume must not contain any spelling errors.
- Do not exaggerate your accomplishments or experience, but also don't be modest.
- Present yourself in the best light possible by focusing on the positive.
- Your resume should not look cluttered, it should be pleasant to look at.
- If you list a reference, be sure to speak with your reference first to get their permission.
- Try your best to limit your resume to one page. Do not exceed two pages.
- Every word in your resume must be meaningful, essential and carefully chosen.
- Give the dates of your employment history.
- Do not make the print too small or too big.
- Do not use fancy fonts, colors or too much underlining, bolding or italics.
- Present your best attributes first, if possible.
- Create your resume in Microsoft Word 2003 or Save As Word 2003 compatible.
Nearly all employers have this software and many businesses still have not converted to Word 2007.
- Make your name big at the top.
- Use an email address which sounds professional. For example, don't use something like iamsocool@youremail.com! Your email address should be some recognizable variation of your name.
- Use active rather than passive voice.
- Do not use the same verb twice unless necessary.
- Use quantifying language to describe your accomplishments. For example: "Increased profits by 12%"
rather than "Increased Profits Significantly."
- If you have a college degree, do not list your high school under the Education section.
- Carefully consider whether or not to include an Objective section at the top. It is not always
necessary, especially if you are taking your resume to a job fair.
Keep in mind that writing a resume should be fun and the result should be something you're proud of.
So what are you waiting for? Create your resume masterpiece today!
Your resume must be grammatically perfect.Make the filename of your resume some recognizable variation of your name - don't simply title it 'Resume'.Your resume must not contain any spelling errors.Do not exaggerate your accomplishments or experience, but also don't be modest.Present yourself in the best light possible by focusing on the positive.Your resume should not look cluttered, it should be pleasant to look at.If you list a reference, be sure to speak with your reference first to get their permission.Try your best to limit your resume to one page. Do not exceed two pages.
Every word in your resume must be meaningful, essential and carefully chosen.Give the dates of your employment history.Do not make the print too small or too big.Do not use fancy fonts, colors or too much underlining, bolding or italics.Present your best attributes first, if possible.Create your resume in Microsoft Word 2003 or Save As Word 2003 compatible.
Nearly all employers have this software and many businesses still have not converted to Word 2007.Make your name big at the top.Use an email address which sounds professional. For example, don't use something like iamsocool@youremail.com! Your email address should be some recognizable variation of your name.Use active rather than passive voice.Do not use the same verb twice unless necessary.Use quantifying language to describe your accomplishments. For example: "Increased profits by 12%"
rather than "Increased Profits Significantly."If you have a college degree, do not list your high school under the Education section.Carefully consider whether or not to include an Objective section at the top. It is not always
necessary, especially if you are taking your resume to a job fair.Sample documents for your conenience:
Chronological Resume
Functional Resume
Cover Letter
Thank You Letter
(Click here for cover letter advice.)