How to Write a Resume
Important Writing Tips Increase Chances of Getting Hired by Employer
Mar 9, 2009
The resume is essential to the job search. It is a tool used to market and sell the applicant’s skills to interested employers. Without an updated, properly formatted resume, the applicant becomes far less competitive in the job search.
Basic Resume Structure
Though resume structure differs according to the type, generally a resume is broken down into five main parts:
- Contact information: full name, address, phone number, and e-mail address
- Objective: explains to the employer exactly what type of position the applicant is seeking and why
- Chronological work experience: a listing of previous employers, dates, and accomplishments starting with the most recent
- Skills: lists the applicant’s position-specific skills (e.g., computer software)
- Education: College attended, city, degree, and date graduated
Types of Resumes
Many a job applicant believes he or she can simply list skills, work experience, and education on a sheet of paper and send it off to the employer. However, the applicant would be sorely mistaken to think that is an effective job search strategy.
Several types of resumes must be considered depending on the employment circumstances of the applicant. For example, the applicant who has long gaps in employment history or is changing careers will want to approach the resume differently than the applicant who has had 10 years of steady employment and is suddenly unemployed.
The six main types of resumes are:
- Chronological: the most common resume type for applicants with a steady work history; orders work history in chronological order starting with the most recent position first.
- Functional: suited for applicants with gaps in their resume (or those changing careers) and emphasizes relevant skills over experience.
- Functional/Chronological Combination: an alternative to the chronological resume; places relevant skills first, then chronological work history.
- Customized: skills are targeted differently to match each position the applicant is interested in.
- Curriculum Vitae (CV): a specialized resume used by educators, researchers, and scientists that highlights academic accomplishments and post-graduate education.
- Mini: a very brief three- or four-point bulleted list of the applicant’s work experience, accomplishments, skills, or abilities and can be placed on a business card for networking purposes.
Tips for Writing a Winning Resume
Many job seekers consider writing a resume somewhat intimidating. However, it doesn't have to be. For resume writing success, the applicant should
- decide upon the resume type that best suits his or her employment situation
- follow the basic five-part resume structure: contact info, objective, work history, skills, education
- write the resume in a concise, professional, and highly focused manner
- provide a clear objective statement that is not just another cliché
- use plenty of action verbs (e.g., developed, managed, coordinated)
- include all skills relevant to the position and eliminate skills that are inconsequential
- include contact information in the resume header
- enthusiastically sell his or her skills, but come across objectively rather than arrogantly
- try to keep the resume on one page if possible (with the exception of CVs)
Writing a resume doesn’t have to be a harrowing experience. When the applicant has a proper understanding of resume structure and types of resumes according to his or her employment circumstances, the job search becomes a bit less fraught with anxiety.
See related articles, “How to Write a Cover Letter,” "Top 3 Websites for Resume Help," and "4 Websites That Offer Work at Home Virtual Jobs.”
 |
