How to Write a Resume
The process of resume writing starts well before you actually sit down to type it out (and, yes, it should always be typed out). Before you sit down, you want to be sure that you have gathered all of the details you will need to know in order to create your resume. This includes everything from the address of your former employers to the exact dates that you worked for those companies.
There are certain aspects that need to be a part of most resumes. You, of course, start with your contact information; your name, address, phone number(s), and your e-mail address. Once you have that down, you need to figure out what your objective is — in other words, what do you hope to accomplish with your job search? Other information to include: your work history, educational background, and special skills. What exact details you enter for each depends on what type of resume format you choose, as examined next …
How to Select a Resume Format
Group 1: You have a significant work history and significant educational history for the job you are applying for. These qualifications meet what you think the employer is looking for. This group should always choose a chronological resume format.
Group 2: You don’t have the work and/or educational experience that is significant for the job you are applying for. This includes those who have significant job and educational experience in one field, but who are applying for a job in another field. They may also be people who are reentering the work force after several years — such as stay-at-home moms — or newly-graduated college students who have the educational background, but no the work experience. This group may be better served by a chrono-functional or functional resume format.
Once you have collected the needed information and selected a format, simply sit down and type it out. Once you are finished, you may print our several copies to mail to employers and headhunters. You may also wish to post in online at a job search website, such as CareerBuilder.com or Monster.com. To do this, you simply register, find a job you are interested in, click the “Apply Now” button, and upload your resume.
