How to Write a Resume

Since a well-written resume is what usually gets your foot in the door for that next job, it is important to know how to write a good one. I’ll show you where to find resume samples and templates, and guide you in the creation of a great resume.

What Resume Format Should I Use?

• Chronological resume format – this is the most traditional resume style. Your employment history comprises the bulk of your resume, with current employment listed first, and so on, in reverse chronological order. Include the span of employment, with both month and year listed.
• Functional resume format – this style puts your skills and experience front and center, and omits employment history. It may be used to take attention away from gaps in employment history or if a career change makes much of your employment history irrelevant. Many job applications will still ask for a chronological work history because it is important for employers to see a consistent work history and career progression.
• Targeted resume format– this style is tailored to highlight just your skills and experience that are relevant to the job you are seeking.
• Combination resume format– this style is like Chronological, but the employment history gets pushed down to make room for your skills and experience first. This can work well if your skills and experience showcase your qualifications better than your employment history.

What Sections Should A Resume Have?

Every resume should include the following sections:

• Personal Information – full name, address, phone numbers and email address. Include this information at the top.
• Objective Statement – this tells the employer what you are looking for in a job or career. If you are sending your resume to multiple employers for different positions, consider tailoring your objective to the position. Keep it concise.
• Profile Statement (in lieu of Objective Statement) – a contemporary replacement for the Objective Statement that focuses on what you can do for the employer. This statement highlights 3-5 strengths to include relevant experience, skills, talents and interests that make you the best choice for the job.
• Employment History – for each job, list the employer and the job title or titles you held. Also for each job, include key accomplishments and skills used that are relevant to the job or jobs you are seeking now. Leave off older jobs with no relevance.
• Education – include degrees obtained and what college or university awarded the degree.
• Honors/Awards/Recognition – If you graduated with academic honors, such as a high GPA, or completed an honors program, be sure to state this. Also, if you received any scholarships, awards or special recognitions, be sure to state this.
• Skills, licenses – don’t neglect this section. If your resume is posted online, the inclusion of skills increases your odds of being found by a potential employer who is searching for specific skills. Skills fall into three main areas:
• Job-related skills – these are skills specific to one type of occupation, such as knowledge of medical technology or equipment or the ability to program in particular computer languages. Also include relevant licenses or registrations.
• Transferable skills – these are skills with broader application that may be learned while in one occupation and transferred to another. Examples include people skills such as management and customer service, as well as information management skills such as proficiency with word processing or spreadsheet applications.
• Adaptive Skills – these are the “softer” skills that are more difficult to quantify but amazingly important for on-the-job success. Examples include being well-organized, having a propensity to find better ways to do things, and working well as part of a team.
• Interests, Memberships – this section is optional, but may be used to share information about yourself that shows you are a well-rounded person and would be a good fit for the culture of the company you are pursuing.
• References - Always state that you have references available upon request, and be prepared to provide a list of at least three references.

Where Can I Find Sample Resumes and Resume Templates?

Microsoft Word has templates and sample resumes that are generic for functional and chronological resumes. It also has templates for specific occupations and situations, including college graduate, transfer within company, registered nurse, sales manager, customer service and support, medical assistant/technician, legal firm accountant, teacher, helicopter pilot, photographer, social worker and writer.

A simple Google search on “sample resume” or resume example” along with your desired occupation will turn up lots of free examples to use.

Check out www.amazon.com for resume writing books. Pick out one of the top-rated books and borrow it from your local library.

Check out the Career Placement Office at your alma mater. They have lots of free resources.

What Is The Ideal Length For A Resume?

Your resume should fit on no more than two one-sided pages. If you have a limited work history, perhaps because you have recently graduated from school, keep your resume to no more than one page.

Make sure your resume is impeccable in terms of spelling, grammar and punctuation. Use spelling and grammar check, and ask someone to review your resume for errors that both you and your word processor miss. Recruiters and interviewers look at a lot of resumes. Resumes with errors like these reflect a lack of attention to detail that will get your resume sent to the bottom of the pile or even tossed in the trash.

Red Flags

Be aware of red flags in your resume so you can avoid them or so you can be prepared to handle the interviewer’s potential questions about these red flags.

A lack of job history or imprecise job start and end dates – unless you are a recent graduate, be careful when using a resume format other than Chronological or Combination. Job history is very important, and many employers will find it frustrating to read a resume that doesn’t provide it. Always include the month and year when employment started and stopped.

Breaks in job history – If an interviewer sees this, she will almost always ask you about it. To her, it could mean that you were fired or quit your job without another job lined up. Be prepared to explain any breaks in your resume.

Short-duration jobs or frequent job changes – To an interviewer, these can represent bad decision-making, a lack of commitment, poor job performance or inability to get along with co-workers. Be prepared to handle questions about these.

Beware of stating in your resume that you are ethical or honest or have integrity. An employer might question why you even need to state these things. These are not special skills to have; it should be assumed that you already have these qualities. Your best bet is to leave off any mention of such things.

Cover letters

Many will say that a cover letter is essential when submitting a resume. There are others who will tell you it’s a waste of paper and they don’t want to read through the “fluff”. There are certain situations, specific to you, which definitely call for a cover letter. When in doubt, ask the recruiter if a cover letter is preferred.

There are certain times when you should include a cover letter without even asking. If you have gaps in your employment history, have been out of the workforce for a while or are making a complete career change, there is no logical place to explain this in the resume itself. You must explain this in the cover letter.

Cover Letter Examples

Microsoft Word has many cover letter templates and examples.

• Use a Google search to find free cover letter examples specific to your situation.
• Check www.amazon.com for top-rated books on cover letters and borrow from your local library.

Good luck with the interview

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