When you hear the words, "Send us your resume," do you panic? Writing a resume shouldn't be overwhelming. After all, a resume is just a story about YOU. Who knows you better than you?
There are several different types of resumes. Some of the most popular include: the chronological resume, the functional resume, and the chronological/functional resume. The chronological resume details your work/school history, starting from your present job and working backwards to your first job. A functional resume highlights your skills in several different functional areas. For example, you could highlight your skills in sales/marketing, supervision or team building. The functional resume categorizes each of these areas under a heading and then lists accomplishments underneath them. A brief listing of your former employers, titles and dates of employment follow. A chronological/functional resume highlights these same skills, but does so under each employer, in reverse chronological order.
A resume always needs to include some basic information:
Contact information, including name, address, phone, (and email address if applicable).
A brief overview of your career objective.
Previous employer information, including name of the business, title, dates of employment and a brief job description. It is helpful to include accomplishments in your job descriptions. But keep it short and to the point!
Education
Professional Affiliations
Do not write about your hobbies, unless it is applicable to the job. (For example, you apply to be a consultant at your local garden center, but you have no professional experience. However, you have been growing prize- winning roses for 20 years as a hobby.)
Be accurate. Check for typos, inaccuracies and exaggerations. Do not make up titles you think sound better. Past employers usually verify your title.
Do not list your salary history or your salary expectations on a resume.
Do not make reference to your age, sex, marital status, religion, political viewpoints or any other irrelevant information. This information is illegal for the employer to consider. This may hurt your chances and puts the potential employer in an awkward position.
Use white or other light-colored paper. Darker paper does not fax well.
Have your resume available in a software format that most employers will be able to open via email. Steer clear of pictures, graphics or other non-traditional items on your resume, unless you are in a field that encourages this type of creativity.
It is not necessary to note: "references available upon request." Employers assume this.
And finally, keep it to two pages of less (preferably less) whenever possible. Human resource departments don't have time to read a 6-page resume, no matter how fascinating your background is.
Remember, your resume will not get you a job; it will get you an interview. For quick tips on interviewing skills, be sure to check out our interviewing link or contact your Nissen & Associates Career Consultant for help!