|
Purpose: To get that personal interview.
Length:
One page, two pages, three pages, or more. There has been, and probably will be, a constant on-going debate on this issue. In my opinion, a solid two-page resume with a strong cover letter will be more than enough.
However, having said that, be prepared to present a shorter resume, or longer resume, if the employer requests it.
Types:
There are two types of resumes, that can be combined to some degree, if necessary. They are:
- Chronological: Lists employment history in sequence. This resume is good if you are looking to present a solid work history, showing you have done the job you are applying for. Work history can be limited to the most recent ten years of work, with the offer of full details at the interview.
- Functional: Focuses on skills, accomplishment, and experience that are not directly related to the job being applied for.
Generally, when you are not sure which of these to use, it is good to remembe that you can do a Combination resume that shows the relevant accomplshments you have that apply to the job, and provide the work history.
Formatting:
- Header
- Objectives
- Education
- Experience
- Skills
- Memberships
List of References:
Available Upon Request - Bring these with you to the interview.
Minimum:
- Name
- Phone Number(s)
- E-Mail Address
- How you know the Individual (friend, supervisor, or co-worker)
Suggestions:
- Be clear, concise, accurate and complete. Proofread, grammar and spell-check everything.
- Keep it professional. Interests, hobbies, sports, religious and political affiliations, marital status, are not recommended for your resume.
- List only significant accomplishments.
- When quantifying responsibilities or results with sizes, statistics, percentages, cost savings, or occupancy increases, always round off numbers.
- If you begin the resume with "Objective", make sure that it is general enough not to preclude you from various opportunities.
- Be careful of font size, especially when faxing. Test what you are sending, if possible.
- Use white or eggshell colored paper that will look good when copied.
- Maintain copies of your resume on your personal computer so that you can update or edit easily.
- Use personal computers and email, not your employers. Make sure to use an e-mail that you plan on maintaining for a LONG time.
- Always indicate dates of employment. Doing otherwise raises questions regarding possible periods of unemployment, or short terms of employment.
- Prepare a concise, 1-page cover letter to highlight your accomplishments, strengths and selling points. Make absolutely sure that you are focusing these on what is going to get you the interview.
- Review a prospective company’s literature and/or Internet site. Interest, backed up by knowledge, may separate you from other individuals and create a more productive interview.
Formats:
- Microsoft Word
- PDF (This is recommended when emailing to a potential employer. Use something like CutePDF to generate the file from the MS Word version)
- Text (Save from MS Word, Save As ... | Save as Type: PlainText (*.txt), you will need to clean this one up. This version will allow you to quickly copy and paste on job sites that do not allow uploads of one of the previous versions.)
Notes:
- Print copies for Interviews on good paper. Make sure to purchase extra blank pages for cover letters.
- Print a copy on white paper for Phone Interviews.
|
