Writing A Resume

Your resume introduces you to potential employers, creating a first (and sometimes only) impression of you. A good resume can get you an interview, while a poor resume often winds up in the trash. A resume should reflect your skills, knowledge, and abilities. It will explain what makes you the ideal candidate for a specific position.

What type of resume should you use?
Chronological Resumes list your previous work experience in reverse chronological order with the most recent job listed first. This format is the most common and is familiar to most HR professionals. This format is preferred if you have increased responsibility with each position. Any experience - whether paid, volunteer or extra-curricular - is worth considering for your resume.

The Skills Resume emphasizes your skills and attributes by identifying three to six key skills. This format de-emphasizes your work history.

Helpful tips for resume writing:

• Keep it simple! You can say everything in one page to two pages. Just make sure that all information is relevant to the position.
• Don't use a template.
• Resume paper should be white or off-white. Use heavier stock (no copier paper!).
• The font should be Times or Arial, 10 - 14 point
• Avoid using italics, excessive underlining, or emoticons :-)
• If you use bullets, use simple dots, not images
• Justify the text instead of using left align. It's easier to read.
• SPELL CHECK! A single typo can be enough to earn your resume a trip to the trash can.
• Have someone else proofread your resume. They may catch something you missed.