Write a Resume

Many of us will be sending out resumes during these uncertain times. It always helps to have a good one. I hope that this Instructable will give you some tips on how to write the best resume you can, in order to catch the eye of the person who is reading all the resumes that are submitted.

First of all read the job description of the position you are applying for very carefully. What are they looking for? Do you have the necessary qualifications? it's no good applying for any job if you are not qualified. It's wasting your time - and the company's.

Be sure to send a cover letter too, if If they ask for one. For goodness sake make sure there are no spelling mistakes or grammatical errors in the resume or cover letter Believe me, this is a complete turn off!

Step 1: Yours Is 1 in a 100!

Don't forget your resume is one of maybe a hundred that crosses somebody's desk. You want yours to get attention. However, that does not mean you tweak it with all sorts of fancy fonts or other embellishments. This may get yours noticed - but may get it put to the bottom of the pile, or even in the trash bin!

Your job is to present a professional looking resume, not to drive the hiring manager insane!

Step 2: Do Not Use Fancy Fonts!

Forget the fancy fonts! There is nothing wrong with using standard fonts like Times New Roman. You need something clear and easy to read. No-one wants to try to read something in an illegible font. The example in the photo is a bit exaggerated, but I think you will see what I mean!

Step 3: Give Correct Contact Information

Let's begin.

Your name, address, and contact numbers should be at the very top, with your e-mail address if you have one, (which I am sure most of us do.) You can put a border round this, as I have done in the example to make it stand out. I would also "bold" your name and contact details.

Make sure your information is correct! You may be the perfect match - but if you have given wrong contact information you have wasted everyone's time including your own. You would be surprised at the number of resumes that are submitted with out of date information....

Step 4: Your Goals and Objectives

We all have goals and objectives. These are important, as it shows a potential employer that you have something you want to achieve, something that can be an asset to the company you are applying to, not just something to further your own ends.

This information should go immediately underneath your contact information so the potential employer cannot miss it., but keep it brief.

For example on my resume I wrote:-

"To pursue a career in administration with a people-oriented company devoted to
service excellence"

Of course, you would have to tailor any statement to fit your own goals and objectives.

Step 5: What Is the Hiring Manager Looking For?

In most cases, the hiring manager is looking for very specific qualifications or experience in a particular job applicant. Make sure that this information is prominently placed. The person hiring does not want to read your whole resume looking for what he or she hopes to find. It needs to be right at the top under your "Strengths". If you have something they want, then (and only then) will they bother to read the rest of the resume to see where you got your experience and where you were employed. He or she is looking for your strengths to see if you are a match. You may have wonderful experience but if it is way down the page, with all those resumes to go through, the hiring manager will not bother to seek it out! It's up to you to sell yourself, not the other way around.

In the example, I listed some of my own strengths. Again you need to tailor this list to reflect your own strengths.

Step 6: Your "Career History"

Underneath your "Strengths" you can now list your previous employers under "Career History."

Start with the most current employer and work backwards. Include the dates of employment, name, address and telephone number of the company and name of supervisor if at all possible. Then list briefly what your duties were, emphasising any achievements or improvements you may have made to company procedures or policies. If you were instrumental in reorganizing the filing system, invented something the company is now using, or putting in something to streamline a process - say so! Make sure you include the experience and skills that are listed in the position you are applying for. It is a good idea to tailor your resume to fit the job for which you are applying.

With regards to your previous employers, you really do not have to go back more than ten years, unless a job you had over 10 years ago gave you the specific experience that a potential employer is looking for right now. For example if you are applying for a position in a non-profit company, but have not worked in one for over ten years, it would be a good idea to let them know that you have had this kind of experience - so list it.

Step 7: Finally, One Page Is Enough!

Try to keep your resume to one page. Remember if you were the person who had to read all those resumes you wouldn't want pages and pages information that you are not going to read. When you get your interview you can bring in an expanded resume if you like.

By all means give brief personal details - Educational details, citizenship, etc., but keep it short. If they are interested in you, you will be able to elaborate at the interview. The whole point of the resume is get yourself that all important interview.

At this point you do not have to give references, unless they are asked for up front, but can state that they are available upon request.

That's it - go for it and good luck!