Writing a Resume

                                            A few tips for developing a resume that will be a success.

One of the first ways to stand out among a crowd of applicants is to have a well-written resume.  Many times your resume is the first "impression" an employer has of you, therefore it needs to be informative, compelling, and most of all truthful.  Following are some ideas for crafting a resume that will help get you noticed.

Tips for getting started... You shouldn't worry about getting ultra fancy with the products you use.  Good quality white or ivory stock will be fine.  Along with that, make sure you're using a clear, readable font such as Times New Roman or Arial so that everything is readable.  We realize that there is an abundance of fun and stylish fonts out there, but your resume isn't the place to display them, rather it should remain strictly professional and clear. Make sure all of your contact information such as address, phone number, cell phone (optional) and email address (optional) is listed.  And just a thought...if you won't be at home during the day, try to have an answering machine or voice mail system that you can check off-site.

Arranging your information... In most cases, a Chronological Resume is the way to go.  In this format, you'll list your work history with the most recent employer first, and continue in reverse order from there.  Under each of these employers list any pertinent information such as job duties, accomplishments, or honors.  When doing this, instead of writing in large paragraphs which tend to be laborious to read, use bulleted lists to show your background.  This is a much more "reader friendly" approach to resume writing, and should be used whenever possible.  If you happen to be changing career paths or reentering the workforce after a hiatus, a Functional Resume would be a better choice for you.  In this style, you would present a well organized series of achievements and skills, preferably categorized (ex. management, customer service, communication, etc), followed up by a reverse chronological listing of employers.

Bigger isn't always better... Obviously use as much space as you need to adequately present yourself, but in doing so, make sure you're keeping to the point and using the most powerful wording possible.  One page is ideal, but if it takes two pages, then so be it.  Keep descriptions of your background short and informative, and use dynamic words and descriptions to get your point across.  For example, if you were in customer service, and a top producer, you'd want to be specific and phrase it as "consistently exceeded goals by 25%" rather than just saying "accustomed to getting the job done".  Additionally, avoid using personal pronouns like "I' or "me", and instead start each point with an action verb such as "Initiated", "Organized", or "Supervised".  Along this same theme...

Don't include too much information... Personal information such as physical stats (height, race, age), marital status, political affiliation, or hobbies are not appropriate for a potential employer to take consideration of during the hiring process, and should never be included on a resume.

Education should be included... A listing of your educational background is always a good thing to include on a resume.  Generally, including the name of the institution, your major, and any degree earned should suffice.  Again, keep it simple...no need to take up valuable space being verbose when a simple statement will do.

Skills and accomplishments can set you apart... You obviously don't want to fill your resume with a bunch of irrelevant abilities (ex. listing all of the real estate software you're an expert on if you're applying for a job in the insurance industry).  But what you do want to do is set yourself apart from the crowd with your relevant knowledge base and/or affiliations.  Make sure you include any pertinent computer skills (MS Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint, QuickBooks, etc), and anything about yourself that the employer should know (able to deal with a wide range of personalities, adept at conflict resolution, etc).  You'll also want to list any affiliations that may be important to the job, such as membership in a professional organization.

Customize for each opening... Tailor your resume to be in line with each particular posting. Remember to use your space wisely, and only include information that will be relevant to the job.

"References Available Upon Request"... This is an unnecessary element of a resume that should be left off.  Obviously, if you aren't submitting your references along with your resume, the employer will know that they should ask you for a list if they see fit to do so.  Save the room for more important information about your skills, education, or work history.

Proofread, Proofread, and Proofread again... "Spell-check" is your friend.  Use it.  Then go over your resume again with a fine tooth comb, and check it again visually.  Then have a friend go over it for you.  When you read from top to bottom words tend to get glossed over, so instead read it backwards so that each word stands out.  The reason we stress this so much is that one small text error or misspelling can send your resume to the bottom of the pile.  Attention to detail is key. 

Always be truthful... Through your resume, you are attempting to sell yourself to a potential employer.  Just make sure you aren't doing so under false pretenses.  Never trump up information to make yourself look better, don't falsify educational information, and don't list job skills that you don't have.  Lying of any sort won't benefit anyone in the situation.  Most employers will do a background check to verify your information, and any falsehoods will be exposed thus eliminating any chance you had at the job.  Honesty gives the employer a true picture of who you are and what you bring to the table.

After you do all of the above, make sure you...

Pick the right audience...  There is an advertising term called "Spray and Pray" which basically means that you blanket the market with your message and hope it catches someone's attention.  This is not what you want to do with your resume.  Don't mail a copy to every ad you see on the Net or in the paper.  If you don't have the minimum qualifications, don't submit.  Take a good look at the ads, determine which ones are a good fit for your background, and submit your resume.  After all the hard work you've put into your resume, don't waste time on efforts that won't be fruitful.