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How to Write a Resume
Want to make your resume work? Here's how to put together a resume
that'll impress any employer.
- Start by making a list of all the jobs you had and the dates.
Don't leave anything out. Include jobs, awards, educational degrees,
skills, personal projects: anything that would be impressive and/or
interesting to anyone (even if not impressive or interesting to
everyone). Even after your resume is finished, maintain this list.
That way, you don't have to revisit those portions year after year.
Organize your list by category.
- Tailor your list to the position you're applying for (this will
require a bit of research). Trim out each item that is not directly
relevant to the job and add on two or three sentences explaining the
relevance of each item. Whenever possible, list your experience in
terms of accomplishments and achievements rather than tasks and
responsibilities. Show your success. You may end up with many
different versions of your resume, each one emphasizing a different
set of skills.
- Consider stating your objective. Again, keep this short
and to the point, a single sentence. Personalize it to the position.
Make sure your objective doesn't contradict the position you are
applying for. Many employers will ignore an objective; so if it
doesn't add something to the resume, don't include it.
- It's time to format. Mind the look and feel of your resume. It
should have clean lines and be easy to read. Make it two pages max,
and only one page if you're just out of school - if you have more to
share, save it for the interview. The font should be 10-13, no
smaller, no bigger, but you should be able to read it well when you
print it out. Black and white is best unless you're emphasizing your
artistic or publishing skills (and even then be careful and
tasteful). Keep the format neat and organized.
- Include an address, phone number and email address. But, do not
include an email that shows you shouldn't be taken seriously, such
as beerandboys@email.com. Don't use your current employer's name,
number or email, either. If necessary, get an extra email address
with a professional name that you can use for job searches.
- Proofread, proofread and proofread again. Have a friend or
professional that you trust proofread. Have an enemy proofread. Have
a stranger proofread. Then proof again! Take criticism well and
remember that just because someone suggests something doesn't mean
you have to make the change. Don't boast about written communication
skills with a typo.
- Toot your own horn, but be careful. There is a fine line between
arrogance and confidence. Try not to cross that line.
- Follow directions. This is a huge indicator of responsibility to
a hiring manager. If the ad says "no calls please," then don't call!
If the job description asks you to provide your salary history, then
you will probably want to include that information in your resume.
However, this is not an absolute: it may limit your negotiating
power to get the best possible salary.
Other career tips:
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