Your résumé advertises your achievements.
Like a commercial, it has to gain an employer's interest in 15 seconds
or less. Its sole purpose is to get you an interview. If you follow the
guidelines below, you will compose an attention-grabbing résumé
and complete your self-assessment process at the same time. |
 General
Guidelines
Following these résumé writing guidelines
will make your résumé appealing to employers.
- Begin by writing your achievement statements (see résumé
achievement statements for instructions).
- Be honest: don't lie or inflate accomplishments.
- Emphasize skills needed for the position you seek. (For more
about researching the job, see Research,
Research, Research.)
- Write it yourself; it's a sample of your work.
- Don't include everything you've ever done.
- Have two versions of each résumé: one to read
and one to scan. The scannable version should have no bolding,
italics or other formatting — just plain black text on
white paper.
Types
There are three basic types of résumés:
- Functional: focuses on skill groupings; good for first-time
workers and career changers
- Chronological: focuses on the progression of jobs and assignments
over time; good for most workers
- Combination: combines the two other types
"Employers understand that 'Implemented office
reorganization' could mean 'I helped shift some desks
around.'"
Martin Yate
Hiring the Best
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WHY BE HONEST?
Your résumé, like all information
you give a prospective employer, should be accurate and honest.
Here's why:
- It's the right thing to do.
- It shows your integrity as a person.
- Most employers check what you say.
- You won't get hired if employers think that you inflated
your achievements and abilities.
- You set yourself up to fail if you get hired based on
qualifications and experience that you don't have
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How
to Use It
Once your résumé is complete, submit
it properly.
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Attach it to application forms you submit.
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Send it only to targeted employers and contacts;
mass mailings waste time.
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Send it only for jobs for which you are at least
70% qualified.
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Don't attach transcripts, recommendations or
photos.
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Don't use it for quick-turnover, low-skill jobs
such as Fast Food Servers or Laborers.
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Bring extra copies of it to each interview.
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Before You Send It Out
Mistakes or sloppiness on your résumé can cost you
jobs. Take these steps before you send it to employers:
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Step One Assess: Résumé