How to Write a Resume

Your resume is your first impression. It should be a simple summation of your qualifications and skills geared toward getting your foot in the door for an interview. Keep it short, simple, concise, and on one page. You should include your accomplishments and achievements that lead to increased profits for your company in an effort to make the employer anxious to meet you. Stay away from cute and contrived as you may draw undesirable attention to your resume. Do not include personal information such as: marital status, height, weight, age, etc. For positions in an office, stick to light colored plain paper in the white, light beige or light gray families. Always be prepared in the interview with a few clean copies of your resume, and even though you are submitting a resume, always fill out applications completely as companies are evaluating your attention to detail and your ability to follow directions.

Objective:
An objective is not necessary, however, if you include an objective at the beginning of your resume, do not make is so specific that you may exclude yourself as a candidate for other positions that might interest you.

Experience:
List in chronological order (your present or last job first). List the company name along with location (city and state). List dates as months and years to avoid being perceived as though you are trying to hide something. Go back a maximum of 10 years (unless previous experience pertains to a job that you are applying for). List your exact job title. Include a brief description of the company and what they do. NOTE: Do not include salary information; you will lose your bargaining power.

Be precise about your duties. State the capacity in which you were employed and exactly what you did. Indicate your level of responsibility and for how many individuals. Include office skills, office equipment and computer skills. Make sure to keep the same tense when defining duties. Your results and accomplishments set you apart. Everyone has responsibilities, but not everyone fulfills them to the same degree. Results give you stature above and beyond a formal and sometimes meaningless job title. Look for bottom line results that will get an employer excited to meet you: problem solving abilities and techniques to help save time or money for the boss and company. Do not mention reasons for leaving.

Education:
List the name and location of the College and High School along with your degree, class standing if superior and honors. Do not give dates that give away your age, only information that will encourage an interview.

The further you are from school, the less educational detail you will need to provide. Recent grads have little but education to show, therefore, cover this area thoroughly listing majors and minors and all subjects relating to the field of interest. Extra-curricular activities are important. State jobs you have had while in school.

Do not omit your education because it is limited. Expand on it where possible by listing company courses, home study courses, etc. This indicates a desire for self-education; however, do not bluff what you have done.

References:
List “References furnished upon request” on the bottom of the resume and always be prepared with at least three work-related supervisory references with addresses and phone numbers. Make sure you speak with your references so that they are aware that potential employers may be calling.