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Choose a
Resume Format
That is Right for You
Writing resumes is not easy, but once you get the basic resume format
down, you are on your way.
I have several basic outlines I use, and continuously update them
depending on the job opportunity.
I recommend keeping several different
versions and tailoring them to meet the needs of the job.
Keep in mind that this is a basic resume format for you to consider.
The list below comes from actual recommendations
provided to me from
employers:
Name and
contact information
- Don't include personal information such as age,
race, etc.
Career
Objective
- Many organizations want to see your career
objective. (e.g. "A
management position within "company X" with responsibilities
including...")
Summary of
Qualifications
- Use a bullet format (such as this list
here).
- List all your qualifications.
- Focus on the job you are applying for.
- Look at the job description and see what they
are looking for as far
as skills are concerned.
- Enter your qualifications in bullet format (one
qualification per
line).
- "Three years experience in data entry..." (for
example)
Education
- Put your education and training somewhere on
your resume.
- If it is not
strong, start with work experience first and put your education towards
the bottom.
- If you have a lot of training and education,
put it right
under your qualifications.
Work
Experience
- In chronological order; most recent first.
Include dates and position
responsibilities.
- Use short and specific sentences. Use "stats"
to
emphasize your accomplishments.
- (numbers, budget amounts, and
percentages stand out in the body of a resume)
Special Skills
- List all your special skills here (e.g. typing,
word processing,
shorthand, etc.).
- The key point to make here is that many job
resume
search engines use key word search when it comes to matching people to
potential jobs.
- Think of this as a way to put keywords into
your resume
that will attract those job search engines.
Honors and
Achievement
- If you have an achievement you are proud of,
include it here.
- Use
common sense of course.
- If you were employee of the year at your
previous job, put it in.
Remember that resumes do not have to have every aspect of your life in
it. Use the resume format above as a guide.
The primary goal of the
resume is to get you into the job
interview. That will be your chance
to get into more details if needed.
For additional guidance, check out the resume
advice, resume
writing,
CV
writing and professional
resume sections.
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