Your resume is most often the first glimpse a prospective employer has of you. It’s important to make that first impression a good and lasting one. Computer word processing makes the job easy with a variety of templates available to speed your resume writing. Using these to your advantage is one key to your success.
There are many theories on successful resume writing. There are those who say a good resume should never exceed one page and others who say just as vehemently that the one page resume is a myth. In reality, the number of pages can be as few or as many as you need. Be cautioned, however, to not compose more than is necessary.
The fact is that many resumes today will be screened by automatic tracking systems that will rank applicants. The rest will be scanned by professionals that look for salient facts. This initial scan will be no more than ten or fifteen seconds so it is imperative to have your best details immediately available.
There are two original types of resume, the chronological which shows your history and the functional which only shows key strengths and accomplishments. That second type is mostly obsolete as it is viewed as a way for the candidate to hide unpleasant facts. A third type has emerged, the combination format that quickly shows your key strengths while including your job history. This has become the favored type for the majority of candidates as it best passes either an automatic or quick human scan.
Step By Step
A basic resume will probably contain a number of categories. Where applicable, these categories should be presented in reverse chronological order.
- Contact information
- Profile which can include objective and availability
- Key skills which can include any certifications
- Education
- Work experience
- Activities and interests
- If applicable, languages
Contact information should include your address, your e-mail address, and your phone number. Make it easy and desirable for your prospective employer to get in touch with you.
Your profile will contain your objective. This is a targeted statement specific to the position for which you are applying. Make yourself attractive to your prospective employer by establishing common ground in your statement. If you want to do what the prospective employer wants you to do, you will generate interest in that all important first scan. If the position is time sensitive be sure to show your availability for the times they need.
Your key skills must be targeted to your prospective employer. If you are good at car repair and you are applying for administrative assistant, you would highlight your specialty office skills, not your wrench wielding. This also would be a good place to showcase relevant certifications. If you are applying for network administrator this would be the place to show off your Network+ certification.
Education should include all college or junior college work here along with your concentrations. Any high school or GED work may also be included. List everything in reverse chronological order.
Your all important work history comes next. Most industries today are in constant forward progression. Because of this, most employers will be keenly interested in your recent capabilities. In most cases you should list only your last ten to fifteen years of experience.
Beware of pitfalls in listing your work experience. Showing numerous short term positions can send the wrong signal that you are not likely to stay. Showing numerous unrelated positions may cast you as one who is lacking focus. Showing long gaps in employment may show you as lacking commitment. Streamline your history if you are faced with any of these situations. For instance, use just the years and not month and years of employment. Downplay irrelevant positions and fill any gaps with positive activities such as continued schooling.
Show your interests in a way that complements the offered position.
If the position for which you are applying requires multi-lingual skills, list your linguistic expertise at the end. This is entirely optional.
Who’s Got My Template?
The resume template gives a framework and starting place. Microsoft has a large array of such templates available in Word format. There are general templates and also excellent job specific templates. This comprehensive resource is free.
- http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/templates/CT010144894.aspx
- http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/templates/CT010144925.aspx#
Checkmate Resume offers professional resume templates at a nominal cost. Their targeted packages each include five different templates and cover letters.
Land That Job offers free resume templates in MS Word format. These are organized into job types so that you can target your prospect.
EZ Rezume has a small selection of free templates. Be careful in using their functional templates.
With the wide range of templates presented here you are sure to find the one that’s right for you. Do not include references in your resume. Avoid gimmicky colors and graphics and remember to check spelling and grammar in your finished masterpiece.
