NEW! Illinois workNet Online ResumeA resume informs potential employers about your employment
background and education experience.
Builder
Create and save up to 20 resumes! Individuals can now access Illinois workNet's online Resume Builder that allows them to create or copy and paste an existing resume and either download and print their resumes or email them to prospective employers.
To use this online resume tool, you must be a registered user with Illinois workNet. Start using the Illinois workNet online Resume Builder
now!
If you are not a registered user with Illinois workNet but would like to use our enhanced career planning and job search tools, then setup a free Illinois workNet account 
and start building your professional resume today!
Writing a Resume 
- review steps to create a resume and choose which type of resume to right for you.
Understanding the Importance of a Resume
A resume informs potential employersBusinesses with jobs and employees that may or may
not be hiring. Illinois workNet offers a page with
Potential Employers for individuals to review based
upon occupation. The employer information found using
this page, can be used to make cold calls or connect
to the employers website for the purpose of inquiring
about job openings.
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. While a variety of resume styles are available, each style uses short, active phrases that show accomplishments and emphasize people skills such as customer service, teamworkThe process of working collaboratively with a group
of people, in order to achieve a goal. Teamwork means
that people will try to cooperate, using their individual
skills and providing constructive feedback, despite
any personal conflict between individuals.
, 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:
different types of resumes
design and presentation of resumes
essential features of resumes (required and optional parts)
different methods of delivery (mail, email, scannable, etc.)
development of cover letters
follow-up techniques and interview preparations
To learn more about the ins-and-outs of effective resume development, visit America's Career InfoNet Resume Tutorial .
Any time you are preparing a resume or cover letterA cover letter is a one page letter that is sent with
a resume when you apply for job.
, 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:
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
Even if this is the first time you have developed a resume or are updating your existing resume for a new job position, take the time to open and print this helpful resume checklist packet that also includes listings of action verbsAction verbs are used on resumes to identify the skills,
experience, and accomplishments of job seekers.
and key words divided into specific skill and career areas:
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.
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.
External Address (Url)
Flash Animation1
To control the size of the flash movie, you can use the property window and replace the description with the width and height in parenthesis. For ex (300, 400)
A cover letterA cover letter is a one page letter that is sent with
a resume when you apply for job.
is a letter that you send with your resume when you apply for job. Your cover letter is your chance to make a good impression.
Cover letters are one page long, and include 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.
- Try not to use the word “I” or at least keep it to a minimum.
- 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