ComputerHunter.org

 

Three Steps to Writing Your Own Resume


While most professionals hire a professional resume writer, some draft their own resume. People who write a lot for business usually have more success in putting together a sharp, focused presentation; still, anyone can learn the basic steps to prepare his or her own resume.

There are three major differences between a "strong" resume and an "o.k." resume:

1. FORMAT AND PRESENTATION DETERMINE WHETHER THE RESUME IS READ

The average resume is scanned, not read, for only 8-15 seconds. It either creates a strong impression to the reader immediately or it is set aside. It is similar to the impression you make on the interviewer. Therefore, make sure your resume is wearing the equivalent of a "business suit" and not jeans and flip-flops!

Choose a format that complements your career goal. If you are seeking a job in your field and have experience, use a chronological resume. This resume starts with your most recent job and works backward. Conversely, if you are seeking a new type of work, you may want to consider the functional/combination resume. This style groups your skills together and includes a short chronological work history at the end.

Other ways to insure that your presentation gets noticed include:

  • No errors: use spell check and also have someone review your resume for missing or misused words

  • Use a Consistent format and use of capitalization and punctuation throughout

  • Provide lots of white space to accent strong parts of the resume

  • Use no more than 2 fonts

  • Include your name and address, a phone and email address

  • Laser print your work on quality white or cream resume paper

2. ACCOMPLISHMENTS TELL WHAT YOU'VE DONE; RESPONSBILITIES STATE WHAT YOU WERE SUPPOSED TO HAVE DONE

Not all accomplishments have to be big, but they have to show that you got results as you carried out your responsibilities. Often, they are something you are proud of or, they can simply quantify what you have done on a daily basis. Many of your routine activities can be quantified and written as accomplishments that demonstrate your experience and knowledge, and proof of how you've HELPED the company!

Here are some things to consider when naming accomplishments. Quantify whenever possible. For instance, did you:

  • save the company money? How much and how?

  • help improve sales? By how much?

  • improve productivity and efficiency?

  • implement any new systems or processes?

  • help launch any new products or services?

  • achieve more with (same or fewer) resources?

  • resolve a major problem with little investment?

  • participate in any technical/operational improvements?

  • exceed accepted standards for quality or quantity?

  • identify the need for a program or service?

  • prepare any original reports, studies or documents?

  • serve on any committees? What was the outcome?

  • get elected to any boards, teams or task forces?

  • resolve customer problems?

  • get rated as outstanding in performance reviews?

3. AVOID COMMON ERRORS IN RESUME WRITING

Many job seekers either don't know or don't understand the many items that do not belong in a resume. They include the following:

  • Do not use "I", "me" or "my" statements; use the telegraphic method and drop the pronoun to make it more active. Instead of "I wrote the 40-page employee manual", say "Wrote 40-page employee manual"

  • Avoid the use of the words "responsible for" and "duties included"

  • Do not include personal information, such as age, health, ethnicity, marriage and family status. Employers will throw your resume out if it has such information because they could someday be accused of hiring bias

  • Do not include photographs unless you are a model or actor

  • Do not explain your reasons for leaving your previous jobs or employment gaps

  • Don't send extra papers such as letters of recommendation, certificates or samples of your work. They clutter your presentation and are too premature. Use in the interview if appropriate

  • Never include salary information

  • Do not forward a list of references

About The Author

Recognized as a career expert, Linda Matias brings a wealth of experience to the career services field. She has been sought out for her knowledge of the employment market, outplacement, job search strategies, interview preparation, and resume writing, quoted a number of times in The Wall Street Journal, New York Newsday, Newsweek, and HR-esource.com. She is President of CareerStrides and the National Resume Writers' Association. Visit her website at www.careerstrides.com or email her at careerstrides@bigfoot.com.







Google News - Top Stories

guardian.co.uk

Burris's Appointment Backed by Illinois Court
Wall Street Journal - 57 minutes ago
By JOE BARRETT CHICAGO -- The Illinois Supreme Court refused to force Secretary of State Jesse White to sign a document relating to Gov.
Video: Raw Video: Burris Arrives at Blagojevich Hearing AssociatedPress
Illinois House Impeaches Governor New York Times
ABC News - CNN - Reuters - MSNBC
all 16,088 news articles


New York Daily News

Carnage continues: 524000 jobs lost in December
MarketWatch - 1 hour ago
By Rex Nutting, MarketWatch WASHINGTON (MarketWatch) -- The US economy lost 524000 jobs in December, closing out the worst year of job losses since World War II, the Labor Department said Friday.
Video: Jobless Rate Jumps to 7.2 Percent in December AssociatedPress
US lost 2.6 million jobs in 2008 International Herald Tribune
Bizjournals.com - Bloomberg - The Associated Press - CNNMoney.com
all 1,906 news articles


WELT ONLINE

UN agency to resume Gaza aid work
BBC News - 38 minutes ago
The UN aid agency Unrwa is to resume operations in Gaza as soon as possible after receiving assurances on safety from Israel, a spokeswoman said.
Video: Rockets were fired from Lebanon into Israel france24english
Thousands protest at Israel's assault on Gaza Reuters
Voice of America - New York Times - The Associated Press - AFP
all 13,388 news articles


WTNH

Supreme Court to Rule on Voting Rights Act
Washington Post - 1 hour ago
By Robert Barnes The Supreme Court said today it will decide whether Congress went too far in extending the life of the Voting Rights Act, the landmark civil rights legislation now being challenged as antiquated in an America that elected an ...
Supreme Court to hear challenge to voting rights act USA Today
Supreme Court Takes Voting Rights Case New York Times
Reuters - CNN - Bloomberg - The Associated Press
all 367 news articles


WELT ONLINE

EU Fails To End Gas Crisis Between Ukraine and Russia
Voice of America - 4 hours ago
By Lisa Bryant The European Uninion efforts to resolve a bitter gas dispute between Russia and Ukraine foundered on Thursday when Russia reportedly refused to agree to a EU proposal to send independent monitors to check Russia's gas flow through ...
Video: Ukraine is blackmailing us Putin RussiaToday
Yushchenko: Russia statements humiliate Ukraine Reuters
Financial Times - Reuters India - Monsters and Critics.com - BBC News
all 8,839 news articles

Google
 

Copyright © 2006 Computer Hunter - A Division of Arthur´s Job Base