Your Resume Is The Heart of Your Job Search

Your resume is the key document that will determine if you get an interview with a potential employer. That being the case, it should shine. Does it? If not, it could be because there is so much bad information out there about creating a solid, interview-winning resume. It doesn't have to be that difficult.

Before you write a single word, you need the right tools for the job. This includes quality bond paper, an inkjet or laser printer and a positive attitude. Each person will have different qualifications and experiences to bring to the table.

As for your resume itself, let's start at the top and work our way down the page.

Letterhead

Your letterhead needs to contain all of your contact information. This includes your name, address, telephone or cell phone number and email address.

This information is most often centered at the top of the page with your name larger than the other information. You can also put your name in bold print.

Example:

John Q. Employee
123 Homepage Lane
Anytown, State 00000
(000)555-5555
jqemp01@inter.net

There is no need to get fancy. Keep it simple.

Objective

The art of crafting a solid employment objective stymies a lot of people when they start trying to write a resume. For our purposes, the two best options are to either wait and craft it last or leave it out altogether.

One exception with objectives is if you are sending a "cold" resume. This is a resume sent to a prospective employer without knowing if that company is hiring. The idea is that you might time it just right and be considered for an unadvertised opening.

If you use an objective, keep it simple and realistic. Avoid vague language.

Example:

Vague: A position in management with upward mobility and opportunities to improve my skills.

Specific: A management position in which I can use my conflict management skills to foster unity and growth within the company.

Remember, you do not have to use an objective. So, if you can't create one that rings true, leave it out.

Experience

Depending on the position you are applying for, you might put education ahead of experience. It is all a matter of which one is more relevant to your desired job and, if both are relevant, which is most recent.

Experience is most commonly formatted this way:

2004-2008     XYZ Corporation     Memphis, TN
Training Manager

• Oversaw training of new hires
• Drafted revisions to training protocol

You can change it up, depending on your resume, but make sure you include all of the relevant information.

Aside from paying jobs, this is also the place to include work-study and internships.

Education

Education is formatted just like experience. Make sure you state the full name of the school you attended, the degree attained and any relevant courses you took.

2000-2004     Best State University     Little Rock, AR
Bachelor's degree in Business Management

• Led conflict management role playing group

After you complete your education listing, consider including skills, awards and volunteer work.

Skills can be a simple bullet point list of computer programs you know, specific skills you have, such as knowledge of office machines or how to drive heavy equipment.

Awards can be listed much the same way. Be sure to include the year in which you received the award. These can include Dean's List, Volunteer of the Year, or Top Sales Person for XXX Group.

Finally, your volunteer work should be listed the way work experience is listed, including the years you were involved. Be specific about what you did. Volunteered for Habitat for Humanity? Did you raise money? Help build three houses in a run down community in South Dakota?

Your resume is a powerful document. You want to spend the time to get it right.
If you need to know more, visit Professional Resume Example