Résumé Writing

What is a Résumé?

A résumé is a written summary/brief record of one's history that is submitted with a job application. The basic framework includes a heading, objective (optional), education, work experience, skills, activities and awards. Samples of résumés are available.

Types of Résumés:

• Chronological - are the most common and familiar, especially for those beginning careers. This format lists past jobs in chronological order, from most to least recent, with job descriptions accompanying each entry.

• Functional - replaces job listings with detailed summaries of broad sets of skills. It directly addresses the needs of employers, and is appropriate for those changing careers or who have extensive experience.

• Hybrid - combines the two above formats. Most technical résumés are hybrids, using the chronological format, with brief sections of technical buzzwords representing the functional format.

Guidelines:

• Be concise.

As a rule of thumb, résumés reflecting five years of experience or less should fit on one page. More extensive experience can justify use of two pages, with a maximum of three pages.

Avoid lengthy sentences and full descriptions of entire projects.

• Quantify statements.

Give concrete examples, using numerical figures that demonstrate progress or accomplishments.

Example: "Managed employees at McDonald's"

Improved: "Managed 80 employees at McDonald's"

• Qualify statements.

Describe the context surrounding the responsibilities, i.e., make the responsibilities relevant to an outcome.

Example: "Supervised employees."

Improved: "As supervisor, implemented employee recognition program."

• Convey confidence.

Honesty is the best policy, but don't be shy. A résumé is an ad, selling a person's strengths.

• Begin sentences with action verbs.

Such words portray a person as an active, go-getter, leader.

Examples: "Coordinated," "Reorganized," "Created," "Planned," "Negotiated"

• Stick with the past tense.

Maintain past tense, even for descriptions of currently held jobs.

• Skip personal pronouns.

Don't use "I" or "me."

Example: "I wrote the employee handbook."

Improved: "Wrote employee handbook."

· List technical knowledge in an itemized fashion.

Be specific and name the operating systems, programming languages, platforms, and software.

• Omit needless items.

Examples: social security number, marital status, health, age, recreational activities, etc.

• Get someone to review the résumé.

Someone who is attentive to details, can effectively critique, and will give honest and objective opinions.

• Proofread, proofread, proofread.

Be sure to catch spelling, grammar, and punctuation errors. No typos allowed--not even one.

• Double check contact information.

Make sure addresses and phone numbers are current. If employers can't find applicants, they can't interview them.

• References.

For most employers, "References Available Upon Request" is sufficient. Never supply the actual names of references until farther along in the interview process.

• Style.

Réumés should be Computer-generated, laser printed on quality bond white paper, using simple 12-point black font. Typewritten résumés are no longer acceptable.

Avoid attention-getting gimmicks such as photos, colored paper with matching envelopes, etc. Instead, put your energy into follow-up phone calls and letters.

Sources: careerpath.com and Taos Mountain's Top Ten Résumé Writing Tips.