- 1). Determine which resume format will best highlight your ability to be a good candidate for the position you're applying for. The choice is between a chronological format or a skills format. With the chronological format your work history is listed on the resume in sequential order, beginning with the most recent job first. A chronological-based resume emphasizes your professional history. With the skills format, the resume is organized into skills categories. A skill-based resume emphasizes your talents and proficiencies. Use the chronological format if there are no large gaps in your work history; or if most of your professional experience is in one field and you're applying for a position in this same field. Use the skills format if you have a checkered work history and the chronological format doesn't effectively underscore your qualifications; if there are large gaps in your work history; or if you have limited professional experience.
- 2). Type your full name, home address, telephone contact information, and email address at the top of the resume using one of the following formats:
Name
Street Address
City, State ZIP code
Phone Number
Email Address
Name
Street Address, City, State ZIP code
Home Phone / Cell Phone
Email Address - 3). Select the categories you want to include in your resume.
Possible chronological category options include: Employment History, Education, Volunteer Experience, Honors and Awards, and Hobby.
Possible skills category options include: Computer Skills, Leadership Skills, Administrative Skills, Research Skills, Relevant Work History, and Education.
Categories pertaining to education and employment must be included in the resume; however, you may word them differently. For example, "Employment History" could be changed to "Professional Experience." - 4). List the category headings in the order of importance for highlighting your qualifications for the position you're interested in. Format each category heading using the same style (such as using boldface type or capitalization) designed to make the heading stick out.
- 5). Fill in the information for each category. Where applicable, list an organization's name, date range of attendance, job title or major, and a description of what experience was gained from your time there. Present descriptions using either bullet points or paragraph form.
Using bullet form: Following each bullet point entry, briefly describe one specific duty, skill, or whatever the category calls for. Start each description with an action verb.
Using paragraph form: Start each sentence with an action verb. Use succinct sentences. Make each sentence a statement that describes a specific duty, skill, or whatever the category calls for. - 6). Use 1-inch margins. With the exception of category headings, make font size between 10 to 12 points. Select an easy-to-read font type. The entire resume should be no more than one page long.
- 7). Proofread the resume for spelling and grammar errors. Ask qualified friends or an associates to proofread and critique the resume's presentation.
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