How to Write a Resume
In today's society, one of the most important documents that you will need to create is a resume. A resume is usually a one page document that is used by an individual to apply for a career opportunity. The first rule regarding resume writing is that the goal of a resume is to get you an interview call. Plain and simple; a resume is successful if it lands you the opportunity for an interview for a specific job position. In order for a resume to accomplish this difficult task it must be written correctly, demand attention and spark interest from the employer.
General Resume Writing Tips
- Your resume should only be one page in length. The saying “less is more” is true when creating a resume. Even if you have an extensive career, keeping your resume short and to the point is usually much more advantageous than adding a second page.
- A resume is about your future and not your past. Many job seekers incorrectly assume that a resume is a document to show your work history. While many employers are curious as to what you have done in the past, they are more interested in your achievements and what you are capable of doing in the future for their company.
- Make sure you only place on your resume relevant information. In order for your resume to be marketable, it must be solely directed at the position and company you are sending it to. Do not generalize or list countless figures that have no meaning, this will only help the employer to recognize just how irrelevant your resume is.
- Don't lie on your resume. It is extremely easy to say you have a degree in a specific field or that you graduated from an esteemed university, however most job applicants are thoroughly checked out before a job is offered. In many cases lying on your resume can actually backfire and cost you a great opportunity.
- Take time to write your resume. Don't expect to create a resume in 30 minutes. Think it over and take a few hours over a week to construct it flawlessly.
Types of Resume Formats
There are two main types of resume formats. They are the Chronological Resume and the Functional Resume. They are used widely in the marketplace; however depending on a job seeker's situation, one is usually recommended over the other.
Chronological Resume
The chronological resume is the most popular format used in the business world today. The main purpose of a chronological resume is to highlight your job titles and locations where you worked by the dates of your employment. In a chronological resume, your job information and achievements are listed chronologically with your current or most recent job first.
When to Use a Chronological Format:
- You should use a chronological resume when you are seeking a similar position in the same field.
- A chronological resume is a good idea if you have no long gaps in work history and your history and achievements show growth.
- If you are currently in a position which your achievements have been exceptional, a chronological resume can help showcase them.
Functional Resume
A functional resume, while not the most popular type is well-regarded and used frequently for those seeking new opportunities. Instead of chronological order, the functional format focuses on experience under the skill headings. This gives you, the job seeker, the ability to focus on the most marketable skills and attributes you have to offer an employer. For those using a functional resume, it is easier to make an impact of what you have done in the past – even if you haven't worked for a period of time or if your last job was less than impressive. While many people do list their work history in a functional resume, the spotlight remains on your achievements.
When to Use a Functional Format:
- A functional resume is a great choice when you are switching careers.
- Another main reason to choose the functional format is if you are now reentering the work force after a significant lapse.
- Many students who have just graduated from college choose the functional resume, especially if they want to accentuate their skills or if they have no true work history.
- A functional resume is a good choice if your current position is not that impressive or does not reflect the skills you have.
Parts of a Resume
There are a few major parts to a resume. They include the heading, job objective, skills, education and job experience. Here is a brief summary of each part.
The Heading
The heading is where your contact information is located. It is usually at the top and is easy to read and locate. In the heading you should always put the following information:
- Your full name (including your middle name is optional). If you use a specific name in your career make this known to the employer. This may be a factor if an employer is doing a background check or trying to verify past employment or a college degree.
- Phone number (a useful number whether mobile or a landline on which an employer can contact you easily). Many people list both their mobile and landline numbers.
- Your email address. Choose or create a professional email address to correspond with potential employers. It is definitely not a good idea to list an email address that is inappropriate (e.g. flirter@yahoo.com)
- Your address. Your address is a good indicator of how close you are to their location. If you live in the neighborhood, your address can work for you. Likewise, if you live too far away from the employer's location, your address can work against you.
- Web site. In many instances a web site may also be an additional piece of information to add, especially if it is relevant to the position you are seeking. For instance, if you are applying for a graphical designer job and have a portfolio already online, then it would be advantageous to add this information.
The Job Objective
One of the most important pieces of information you can write on your resume is your job objective statement. The job objective is the position you are looking for. When one sends a resume to an organization, s/he may be one in a group of thousands of other applicants. Many times an employer is hiring for several jobs at once. Your job objective will easily state what position you are applying for and this piece of information will be extremely helpful to the human resources department you are sending it to. The HR dept, can easily route your resume to the proper recruiter so that it can gain the attention it deserves. Here are a few tips on writing a job objective:
- Keep it very simple, usually one sentence should do.
- If you know the exact title of the job, use it.
Skills Section
The skills section is where you list your pertinent skills for the job position. This is a great place to list your competencies and achievements. For many resumes, this might be the most important part, because it shows your knowledge, what you have accomplished in the past and what you are capable of accomplishing in the future. Make sure this section is well written and to the point. Here are a few tips on writing a skills section:
- Write about your experience, any credentials and what makes you qualified for the position you are seeking.
- Make sure that everything you write in this section is factual.
- This part of the resume is where you have to sell yourself. You can be a bit creative, but make sure you are to the point.
Education Section
The education section is another important part of your resume in which you show that you have the proper credentials for the position and that you possess significant intelligence.
Here are some tips:
- If you are applying for a position that requires licenses to practice, make sure you list all licenses and credentials to communicate to your employer that you are legally able to perform the job.
- List any degrees or classes that you have studied which could be relevant to the position you are applying for.
- If you were in an organization, whether social or academic, it is a good idea to include it.
- If you have any special achievements, it is beneficial to list them.
- If you have attended several schools, you can opt to list only the schools that you earned your degree from.
Job Experience
The job experience section of the resume is where you list your work history. While many people just think of it as listing every company they ever worked for, choose this section to reinforce your skills and achievements. The job experience section is usually the last section of the resume and it is listed in chronological order with your current or most recent job listed first. Some of the major components of the job experience section are as follows:
- Dates of employment. You should list the month and date of your employment for at least the last two to three jobs. For your current job, state the start date and the end date as 'present'.
- Include your official job title.
- Include your major responsibilities; this is a good time to reinforce your achievements. Instead of simply saying that you sold electronics, you can state that you were responsible for over 5 million dollars in computer chip sales each year.
Final Touches
If it has been a while since you wrote your last resume or if you are writing a resume for the first time, keep in mind that the process does take time and you will surely need to write a couple of drafts before you are satisfied with your new resume. Here are some final thoughts regarding resume writing:
- Make sure there are no spelling errors. A resume also needs to be grammatically correct and easily understood; however, spelling errors will ruin your opportunity to make a good impression on the employer.
- Have a friend or family member look over your resume. Sometimes you need an extra set of eyeballs to help you determine what works and what does not.
- Take a look at sample resumes online. You can usually find a resume that is similar to the job position that you are looking to apply. Sample resumes can also give you good ideas on the types of words to use and which format is best for your specific situation.
- Make sure your resume is printed on good quality paper and that there are no smudges or dirt on the page when you send it to an employer.
