A resume informs potential employers about your employment background and education experience. Your goal is to create a resume that provides important information that potential employers can easily understand and that entices them to invite you for a job interview. A variety of resume styles are available. Each style uses short, active phrases that show accomplishments and emphasize people skills such as customer service, teamwork, and leadership.
Employers also look for evidence of regular attendance, motivation, and honesty.
To help you get started in building a professional and effective resume, take a moment and review the following tutorial. It will assist you in understanding:
- types of resumes
- resumes formats
- key features of resumes
- different methods of delivery (mail, email, fax, etc.)
- cover letters
To learn more about the ins-and-outs of effective resume development, visit America's Career InfoNet Resume Tutorial 
.
Follow these steps to write your resume:
Step 1 - Gather all of the information that you will be adding to your resume:
Education:
- copies of diplomas,
- certificates,
- transcripts,
- and licenses.
Experience:
- previous job information
- copies of awards,
- certificates,
- and recognitions for your work experience.
Information to customize your resume for the job:
- job description – highlight the required skills and keywords used in the job description
- a list of your skills – use the Personal Skills Checklist and highlight the skills that you have that match the job description
- use action verbs and keywords – (see lists below)
Step 2 –Start writing your resume.
Decide which type of resume you will create:
- functional - highlights skills and accomplishments (best for individuals with little work experience)
- chronological - outlines educational and work experience in a timeline manner
- combination - combines the elements of the functional and chronological resume, highlighting skills and experience as well as a brief job history
Customize your resume for each job:
- Identify your skills and experience that would show you are a good match for the job.
- Use the same key words and skills that are in the job description when possible. Do not lie about your experience or skills.
- Use the Resume checklist to help you make a good resume:
Other things to consider:
Does your resume require further polishing due to breaks in employment, little to no work experience, or other past employment problems? If you answered yes, then take a moment to look at the helpful information provided by monster.com for addressing Resume Essentials and Potential Dilemma's in Your Resume.
Step 3 – Proof read your resume before you apply for the job.
When you complete your resume, be sure to have it proofread and reviewed by at least 2 other people. Having multiple people review your resume increases the chance that typos and other mistakes will be noticed.
Your resume is a living document and should be updated and tailored for each position you apply for.
Any time you are preparing a resume or cover letter, you should always use a spell check. SpellChecker.net allows you to paste in your work and then run a spell check or type your work directly into the spell checker for potential corrections as you write.
FREE resume writing online course is available by:
- Clicking on Crafting Your Resume – FREE Online course
Setting up an account by clicking Join Now!
- Clicking on Work Career.
- Clicking on Crafting Your Resume.
Additional Assistance in Making Your Resume Stand Out from the Crowd
Whether this is the first time you have developed a resume or you are updating your existing resume for a new job position, take the time to open and print these listings of action verbs and key words divided into specific skill and career areas:
Increase the odds that your resume gets noticed! Read more about writing effective resumes and cover letters .
Quick Tips
- Be sure to use words in the proper context. You can check your usage and more with Dictionary.com
- Vary your word usage. Take advantage of Thesaurus.com
- If you are going to post your resume online, read these essential tips to avoid disaster.
Once you have written your resume, update your resume yearly so that it shows your talents, recent experience and potential worth to the prospective employer in the best light.
Review your resume to be sure that:
- Information is accurate and up-to-date.
- Action words and a positive tone are used.
- Your technical and soft skills are listed.
- Your resume is free from errors.
Click here to find more tips on updating your resume.
If you are sending out numerous resumes and do not receive any interview calls, there may be a problem with your resume. You may want to:
- Review your resume using the resume checklist.
- Have a person that does that job review your resume.
- Learn more about the job to make sure your skills are qualified.
- Call the employer to find out if they have selected applicants to interview.
If you were not selected by the employer, you can ask if they have any comments on how you can improve your resume.
Below are examples of resumes to further assist with resume development. Examples include: functional, chronological, and combination formats. Additionally, these examples cover a wide range of experience, employment history, and education.
Watch the
"How to Select the Right Resume Resume Type" video to determine what time of resume you should use
Select the example and format you wish to use as a guideline for developing your professional resume.
Functional Resume:
Chronological Resume:
Combination Resume:
Youth:
Watch the "Resume Writing for People with Little Formal Work Experience" video to determine what information you should include on your resume
Use the online Reference Page Creator, to create a professional looking reference list, which may be attached to your resume.
NOTE : Adobe Acrobat Reader is required to view PDF files. Get your free Adobe Acrobat Reader .
Send a cover letter with your resume when you apply for job. Your cover letter is your chance to make a good impression.
Use the online
Cover Letter Creator, to create a professional looking document.
A good cover letter is one page long, and includes three paragraphs.
Paragraph One: Why you are applying for the job
Includes:
- The title of the job that you are applying for.
- How you found out about the job (online, newspaper, etc…).
- Why you want to work for the company.
Paragraph Two: How your skills match what is needed to do the job
Includes:
- Two or three of your skills that are important to doing the job that you are applying for.
- A description of how your skills and experience match what the company listed in the job posting.
- A description how the company will benefit from employing you.
Paragraph Three: Next Steps
Includes:
- One sentence telling them that you look forward to speaking with them about the job opening.
- How they can contact you to schedule an interview.
- How you plan to follow up with them about the job opening if you don’t hear from them.
Cover letter writing tips:
- Be brief; don’t ramble on about your life and career.
- Address your cover letter to a specific person at the company.
- Use the word “I” sparingly.
- Use active words (I am convinced), not passive words (I feel…).
- Every cover letter is different and should be specific for the job you are applying for.
- Show that you know a little about the company (go online and find out what they do).
- Read your cover letter before sending it and check your spelling – using Spell Check might not catch everything.
- Never use texting shortcuts in your letter (example: i am interested in the job U r hiring 4.)
- Use letter quality paper instead of copy paper. Print your resume on the same paper.
If you are not sure how to write a cover letter, see the examples and use a cover letter outline
Examples of good cover letters
Cover letter outline
Cover letter outline for youth