STEP-BY-STEP RESUME
A resume is a one-page summary of your work and school experiences. Employers match your resume against their job openings to evaluate if you'd be a good fit. As such, it's important to make your resume a good representation of yourself. Here's how, step by
1. Decide Which Type Of Resume You Want.
There are three types of Resumes: chronological, functional and combination. You might want to consider more than one format of Resume if you're applying for multiple jobs.
Chronological
is the most traditional format and lists experiences according to the order in which they took place. These Resumes generally appeal to older readers and may be best suited for a conservative field.
Functional
is a type of resume that lists your experiences according to skill. This is the format to use if you're changing career direction (and lack direct work experience). Because it displays your skills first, your work experience, or lack thereof, is not the main focus.
Combination
combines the best aspects of the chronological and functional styles. Be careful with length for this format; the resume can quickly get long.
2. Create A Header.
A header should include your name, phone number and email address. You can also include your mailing address, but leave it out if you plan to post your resume online.
Use a phone number that you plan to answer and change your voice mail to a more professional message if necessary.
Make sure your email address is professional. If your current email address, for example, is
[email protected] or
[email protected], it's time to set up a new email, such as
[email protected] or
[email protected].
3. Write A Summary.
In one or two sentences, summarize your work experience and relevant skills. Keep this strong and simple.
The summary can be useful to explain why you're applying for a role that is a departure from your career path.
You don't have to include a summary, especially if your experience speaks for itself and is relevant to the jobs you're applying for.
4. List Your Experiences Or Skills.
FOR CHRONOLOGICAL/COMBINATION Resumes, LIST YOUR EXPERIENCES
Starting with your most recent or current job, list your previous work experiences.
This section shows where you have worked and when. It also states specific accomplishments for each position or job.
This is where content can make your resume run over a page, so be selective (if necessary) about what you include.
Pick experiences that seem most relevant to the position you seek. For inspiration, think of your full-time or part-time work, summer jobs, occasional jobs, internships, fieldwork and special projects.
Don't worry whether your experiences are "good enough." Employers admire people who have worked hard in a variety of positions.
Always start each achievement with an accomplishment verb, like accelerated, achieved, expanded, influenced, solved, maintained, generated, effected, advised, controlled, trained or utilized.
Don't worry if there are gaps in the time line, but keep everything in chronological order, with most recent jobs at the top.
Examples:
Southwestern Writing Center, Peer Writing Tutor, Yuma, AZ
April 2014–Present- Tutored students in writing for all disciplines.- Critiqued peers' writing.
Camp Granite Falls, Area Director, Mountainville, TNJune 2011–September 2015- Directed staff of four while supervising 20 campers.- Taught crafts, sports and cooking.
FOR FUNCTIONAL/COMBINATION Resumes, LIST YOUR SKILLS
The "skills" section of your resume is a place where you can show your strengths and individuality. Start by stating each skill. Then back it up with a two- to three-line explanation of how you learned that skill or why you believe you have it. Make these entries short, clear and to the point.
List skills that are most relevant to the job you seek. Think about what the employer is looking for in relation to what you've done and who you are as a person.
Don't forget to list computer programs you've had experience with; proficiency can be seen as added value.
Examples:
Self-Motivated: Pro actively organized volunteers to assist with distribution at the community food bank.
Bookkeeping: Maintained accurate, detailed inventory reports at school library and subsequently won Top Librarian Assistant award three months straight for Brown County.
5. List Your Activities.
List activities in which you have participated and include what your specific role was in each.
This is the place to note membership or leadership positions in clubs, organizations of any kind, athletic teams, community organizations and so on.
If you've had an interesting job unrelated to the field you're pursuing—such as reading to blind children or teaching English as a second language (ESL)—add it here. Employers are always looking for people with diverse backgrounds to work for them.
Examples:
Track Team: Team Captain, Senior Year. Fall 2016–Spring 2013.
Drama Club: "Crazy for You" and "West Side Story." Fall 2017 and 2014.
6. List Your Education.
List the schools you've attended, starting with the most recent one. Include details such as GPA, class rank or special awards.
Add any other educational experiences, such as training programs, community college or summer courses, seminars and so on.
Examples:
Oldham County High School, Oldham, PA. 3.8 GPA. Anticipated Graduation: June 2015.
Bellville Adult Education, Bellville, NY. Introduction to Web Design. September 2012.
7. List Any Awards You've Won And When You Won Them.
When you've been recognized by someone else, you should let potential employers know about it. But you shouldn't worry if you haven't received any awards; just skip this section.
Examples:
Richmond County National Essay Contest, Honorable Mention, May 2006.
Honor Roll, South Satchewan High School, Junior and Senior Years, 2008–2010.
8. List Your Personal Interests.
This section shows you're a well-rounded person who people would want to know and work with.
Employers often use this section at the start of an interview to break the ice.
Casual interests are better not to list (e.g., napping, watching reality TV, gossiping). This is really about highlighting hobbies that have helped you grow as a person.
This rEsumE step is considered optional. If you're having trouble coming up with interests, or feel your resume is already too long, feel free to leave it off.
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