How to Write a Resume

Introduction

• Whether you want to advance in your chosen field or you're making a drastic career change, a resume is a job search necessity. It provides an overview of your experience and skills, and a great resume will help you get an interview for that job you really want. Spend the time to make your resume as good as it can be and you're making a truly worthwhile investment.

Step 1: Before You Write Your Resume

A great resume can help you get a job interview (Photo by Penny Mathews)

1. Before you begin constructing a resume, take the time to think about your experience and what type of job you're looking for.
   • If you're re-entering the workforce, you may pick a different format than someone who's been working continuously.
   • A recent college graduate will focus more on educational background than an experienced worker.
   • If you're changing careers, you may opt for a different format than someone who is remaining in his current field.
2. Take a look at some sample resumes online. Boston College, the Wall Street Journal, Vault.com and the University of Florida have some good examples.

Do Research in Your Industry

1. The type of job you're applying for will also influence the type of resume you write.
2. If there's a style of resume often used in your desired field, consider using it yourself.
3. Look at sample resumes from other people in your industry. Is there a section or format they're using? You might want to include it too!

Step 2: Use these Resume Writing Tips

• Here are a few tips to keep in mind as you write or update your resume:

Be honest as you write your resume (Photo by Steve Woods)

1. Be honest.
   • It is better to address any gaps in employment than to try to hide them.
   • Lying on your resume may get you into an interview, but you still have to go through a background and references check to land the job.
   • If you state you can perform a task or operate a program you actually don't know, your lie will be exposed.
2. Be professional. If your email address is funny but unprofessional, it may turn off potential employers.
   • If necessary, create a new email address solely for resumes (and don't forget to check it for responses!).
3. Write out everything you want to include on your resume. You can trim it down to one page later.
   • Note: If you have over 10 years of work experience that is important and needs to be included, a resume of two pages is acceptable.
4. Use easy-to-read fonts and a clear design to make your resume more appealing.

Step 3: Write Your Resume Objective Statement

OWL at Purdue University Sample Objective Statements.

1. An objective statement is the first thing listed after your personal information.
2. The objective statement is a sentence or two that sums up your current career goals.
3. An objective statement is not always a resume necessity, but it can be a handy summary of what you're looking for in a position.
4. If you're starting your resume from scratch, write your objective statement first. This can help you decide what information to highlight on your resume, even if you ultimately decide not to include an objective statement.
5. Do not write a generic objective statement; it is more likely to turn off a prospective employer.
   • Example: My goal is to get a rewarding job that pays well.
6. Your objective statement should relate to the job you are applying for.
   • Example: An experienced public relations consultant, I now seek a position as an account manager where I can utilize my management skills.
7. Target this statement to the position you're interested in. This is the first information on the page after your name and address, and it should make the case for you being the perfect person for the job!

Step 4: Choose a Resume Style

Consider your experience and desired job when choosing a resume style (Photo by Chris Chidsey)

1. There are several types of resumes:
   • Chronological
   • Skills
   • Functional
   • Combination
   • Video
2. You want to think about your situation and create the best resume for your experience and desired job.
3. Most recruiters want your resume to show your career progression. Therefore, chronological or combination resumes (resumes that list your work history in chronological order, starting with your most recent job) are the most common types.
4. If you have no work history or have worked multiple jobs over a short period of time, an unconventional format may show you in a better light.
5. Pick the the type of resume that is best suited to you and your goals.
6. If you're unsure what type that is, try writing your resume in two or more formats, then ask for feedback from friends or relatives. An objective eye may tell you which format is best for you!
7. Most resumes should fit on one page. However, if the information is truly important and necessary, two pages is acceptable.
   • If you have less than 10 years' work experience, you should only need a one page resume.
   • It is better to go onto a second page than to leave out important information.
   • Do not go onto a second page for unimportant information, like personal hobbies, out-of-date skills and achievements from over 10 years ago.

Chronological Resumes

About.com's Sample Chronological Resume.

1. This is the most common type of resume.
2. It lists your work and educational history chronologically.
3. The general layout is as follows:
   • Header with personal information (Name, Address, Phone numbers, Email).
   • Objective statement (if included).
   • Career and skills summary (if included).
   • Reverse chronological career listings (include employer names and locations).
   • Educational background (School name, location and your GPA).
     • (Recent graduates may place education ahead of their career listings).
4. List what you achieved in different positions, not what your job responsibilities were.
5. Quantify your on-the-job accomplishments.
   • Instead of writing that you improved customer relations, state that customer satisfaction increased 40% while you were in charge.
   • Explain the size of the company you worked for, the number of people you supervised, and the size of any budgets you managed.
6. Condense unimportant information. There is no need to list every job you've had since college. You can include a quick summary of those early positions in a section labeled "early career."
   • If you were recognized or honored for work you accomplished, by all means include that—if it is relevant to the job you're applying for now!
7. If you've been in the workforce for several years, your educational background becomes less important. Trimming this section to the basics will leave more room for other information.

Skills Resumes

1. Skills resumes allow you to group your work history by skills, not by dates or places of employment.
2. This kind of resume lets you highlight the skills you think are most important: your resume can lead with the most relevant experience you have instead of the most recent.
3. This resume style can be particularly useful for someone who is re-entering the workforce, or entering the workforce for the first time, and does not have recent work experience.
4. It is also well-suited if you are making a big career change, as you can list skills relevant to the job you're applying for.
5. Write a clear objective statement; this can explain how your skills relate to the job you now seek.
6. Also make sure to include a career summary; this can explain why you are changing careers or re-entering the workforce.
7. The general layout is as follows:
   • Header with personal information (Name, Address, Phone numbers, Email).
   • Objective statement.
   • Career summary.
   • Skills groupings.
   • List of places of employment (include employer names, locations, and dates of employment).
   • Educational background (School name, location and your GPA).
     • (Recent graduates may place education ahead of their skill groupings).

Functional Resumes

About.com's Sample Functional Resume.

1. A functional resume is very close in style to a skill-based resume, and can also be helpful for recent graduates or people re-entering the workplace.
2. If you've held many jobs over a short period, a functional resume can help you avoid being pegged as a job-hopper.
3. More and more people work in temporary and contract positions these days; a functional resume is another way to highlight the skills you used in these positions.
4. This style lets you demonstrate how your previous work or educational experience has provided you with the appropriate background for the job you're applying for.
5. You do not need to list your jobs in chronological order; instead, put the most relevant one(s) first.
6. You also do not need to list every job you have had in the career listing section; simply include the ones that are relevant.
   • You will list all your employers in the short employment history section.
7. Include an objective statement, as it can tie the disparate resume elements together.
8. The general layout is as follows:
   • Header with personal information (Name, Address, Phone numbers, Email).
   • Objective statement.
   • Career and skills summary.
   • Career listings, by relevancy to desired position.
   • Employment history (List all employers here, with dates of employment).
   • Educational background (School name, location and your GPA).
     • (Recent graduates may place education ahead of their career listings).

Combination Resumes

1. A combination resume mixes the chronological, functional and skills formats.
2. It's another format used by career-changers and those new to the job market, as you can show why you fulfill the needs of the new position.
3. It can also be used by older workers, as this format lets you highlight your strongest credentials.
4. The same holds true for people with employments gaps; this style lets you focus on what you have achieved, not on times when you were not working.
5. Make sure to write an objective statement for this format as well.
6. The general layout is as follows:
   • Header with personal information (Name, Address, Phone numbers, Email).
   • Objective statement.
   • Career summary (if included).
   • Skills summary.
   • Reverse chronological career listing; with a focus on skills relevant to the job you're applying for.
   • Educational background (School name, location and your GPA).
     • (Recent graduates may place education ahead of their skills summary).

Video Resumes

1. Job listing sites like Jobster and Vault.com let applicants post video resumes online.
2. Video resumes are becoming more popular, but some HR departments are reluctant to accept them, not wanting to be accused of bias. Make sure you can use your video resume before making one!
3. Just like paper resumes, a tailored resume is best here. You want this resume to explain why you're qualified to work in a specific position or industry. An elaborate but unrelated production will not be appreciated.
4. To make your video resume:
   • Dress as if for a job interview.
   • Speak clearly.
   • Do not make distracting motions.
5. Begin with your first and last name. You can mention more detailed contact information, but be cautious if the video will appear on a public site.
6. Then list your educational background.
7. Next discuss your qualifications, either work-related or educational, for the position (or for the industry) you're applying for.
8. You can mention any special skills you have, if they relate to the job you're applying for.
9. End by re-stating your name and thank the watcher for her time.

• Here's an example of what not to do in your video resume.

Step 5: Tailor Your Resume

• Make sure your resume will stand out in whatever field you want to work in!

1. It is more and more common to have a resume tailored to each position you are applying for, instead of using a "one size fits all" model.
2. Your resume should highlight why you are qualified for the position you're applying for.
3. Remove extraneous information. Do not detail every job experience you have had if it does not relate to the job you're pursuing.
4. Remember, you want your resume to be only one page (two if you have enough business experience that the extra information is important and relevant)!
5. Applying to multiple industries and you want to list varied skills? Write different versions of your resume for each type of job. Just be careful not to send the wrong version out for a job, or you may pre-emptively disqualify yourself for that position!

Resume Keywords

1. With online resume databases and thousands of resumes pouring in via email, many HR departments now perform keyword searches to weed through these submissions.
2. This means you need to make sure your resume includes relevant keywords to the industry you're in or it may be overlooked.
3. First, make sure you include the keywords from the job listing you're applying to!
4. To find other appropriate keywords, study job postings for your field. Chances are the keywords you see cropping up in these ads are also what employers search for.
5. Other sources for industry keywords:
   • Employer websites
   • Industry-affiliated websites
   • Messageboards and forums about your career sector
   • Government job descriptions like Occupational Outlook Handbook
6. Only list keywords that apply to you.
7. Only use words for skills you actually have.
8. Do not load your resume with multiple keywords saying the same thing; it may help you make it through a database search, but when a human sees the keyword-loaded resume she will immediately put it in the garbage.

Resume Action Words

1. Now examine the words you used to describe yourself and your job. Do you sound like a dynamic worker any company would be thrilled to have, or like a ho-hum employee?
2. Action verbs like "built" and "led" are better than passive terms like "worked with" and "helped."
3. For more verb ideas, check out Boston College's list of action verbs.
4. Make your resume special by having it really describe who you are. Instead of generic resume words that are overused to the point of meaninglessness, use words and descriptions that are concise, easy-to-read and relate to who you are, what you've accomplished, and what you aspire to for the future. You want your resume to reflect the real you!

Step 6: Polish Your Resume

• Now that you've entered your information and tailored it to your industry, it's time to polish your resume!

1. Always check for typos and grammatical errors. Then check again. Then have a friend proofread. These types of mistakes are easy to fix, and make a big difference in whether or not an employer will consider you for a job!
2. Do not use "I" or "me"; the reader already knows the resume is about your accomplishments.
3. Employers often scan or upload resumes into electronic databases. For this reason, simpler formatting is the better route to take:
   • Try to avoid using tables.
   • Use spaces instead of tabs to separate sections.
   • Also avoid italics, underlining and shadowed text.
4. On that note, perfumed paper, curlicue fonts, and pretty images are all no-nos. You want your resume to stand out, but not for these reasons!
5. A simple left-justified resume is easiest to read.
6. Test how your resume looks saved as an RTF file. If it isn't pretty, it needs to be simplified.
7. Only include college and graduate school when listing your education. The fact that you won a spelling bee in first grade, though commendable, will not help you land a job interview!
8. Do not include your height, weight or age; this information is not necessary and will only irritate potential employers.
9. Remove out-of-date terms and technology. Being able to change typewriter ribbons is not a hot skill today.
10. Unless specifically requested to do so by the job posting, do not include references on a resume. You can provide these later in the interview process.

Resume Writing Services

1. The online site Emurse offers an online resume-building template. After registering (for free), you can input your personal information and the site will use a template to create a resume.
2. Microsoft Word has resume templates and a resume writing wizard you can use. You can also find more resume templates online.
   • Be careful using these, as the formatting may make it difficult for companies to electronically scan your resume.
3. Check out books about writing resumes, like Resumes for Dummies and The Elements of Resume Style
4. Professional resume writing services can be useful if you're stuck on what to do. Perhaps one of these professional resume writers' groups will be able to help.

Conclusion

• Congratulations! You now have a great resume. Though your new resume won't guarantee you a job interview, you've done everything you can to make sure you get the job you really want. Good luck!