RESUME
WRITING
TIPS

More Resume
Tips from Jobweb.org

Resume Objective

The objective on your resume is to present a snapshot of your career, create attention and generate interview requests. The more your resume matches the job you want, the greater the likelihood of getting an interview.

Where to Start

Too many people start writing a resume without considering the companies they want to work for or their industries of interest. Consequently, their resumes are simply a list of past work experience.

Start by thinking about the type of company or project team you want to work within and what experiences / skills they are seeking in a candidate. Then be sure your resume details these experiences / skills. To see if you have the right credentials, take an inventory of your accomplishments, skills, abilities, and experience. Reflect on past positions and write down what you accomplished in each of them.

Next, examine the qualifications required for the available job and include on your resume only relevant skills and achievements. If your document closely matches these requirements, it carries a higher probability of leading to an interview.

Pick a Format
The most common versions of resumes are the chronological and the functional or a combination of both. If you have a logical, consistent employment history and are seeking a position in a similar field or industry, use the chronological format. Present the details of your career in reverse order, starting with your most recent position first.

A functional resume can work well for candidates who want to change careers. Using it, you can group your functional skills and abilities first, then followed by a list of actual jobs. This type of resume enhances your abilities and de-emphasizes your employment history. Many hiring managers prefer chronological resume to functional formats, which can confuse or conceal.

1. List your technical knowledge first in an itemized fashion. Use as many key industry buzz words as you can conjure up which reflect your work and school experience. List these skills in order of relevance, from most to least.
• Resumes are typically computer database indexed by word. When recruiters or employers search for candidates, they use key word searches in various resume databases. The more matches in a search, the greater the probability that you will receive a call about an opportunity.
2. Quantify your experience wherever possible. Demonstrate progress or accomplishments due directly to your work. How many people did you manage? What did the project accomplish (ie. funds saved, time periods/efficiency improved, lines of code written/debugged, numbers of machines administered/fixed, etc)?
3. Begin sentences with verbs such as: initiated, lead, trained, achieved, hired, etc. Use the past tense, even for descriptions of currently held positions, to avoid confusion. Be concise. Avoid lengthy descriptions and stick to bulleted information. Minimize usage of articles (the, an, a). Refrain from using "I" or other pronouns to identify yourself.
4. Keep your resume professional. Do not include personal items such as: social security number, marital status, health, recreation activities or age.
5. Once your resume is complete, print it on white paper. Wait until the following day to proofread your work. Do not proofread on the computer. Instead, proof read the printed copy. Read your resume out-loud, making revisions as you go. Make the updates to your electronic original after completing your oral rehearsal. Have a trusted friend review your resume. Be sure to pick someone who is attentive to details, can effectively critique your writing, and will give an honest and objective opinion.
6. Use a Laser printer and print your hard copy on white bond paper.
7. Most importantly, have a copy of your resume in Word or RTF (rich text format) for emailing and Internet distribution. Word or RTF formats are nearly universal and don’t require translators or special viewers to open the document.

Final Tips
A one or two page resume should be adequate to present yourself.

Make sure your resume is 100% certified error-free. Don’t rely on computer spelling and grammar checkers.

Every word you include should be meaningful and help to sell your skills and experience. With an impressive resume in hand you'll greatly increase your odds of generating an interview request.

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