by Annalou Mack

Created on: April 19, 2008   Last Updated: March 29, 2009

Searching for a job is an unpleasant experience, filled with frustration. The first step in job hunting is to do a self-assessment that includes looking at your work and school history, military service (if any), hobbies, volunteer activities and ambitions. Next, establish appropriate job-hunting goals. Finally you will organize this information into a resume.

A resume demonstrates credibility and should be interesting. It is like a personal advertisement and will be used to convince a potential employer that you are an outstanding candidate for the job. It includes personal data such as name, address, phone number and email address; a career objective; summary of skills/professional expertise; education; honors and awards; professional experience; and management and leadership skills.

In the education section is listed the degree(s) received plus the major area(s) of study. Honors and awards may be included in the education section or listed separately. They are such things as being on the dean's list, graduating cum laude, or any honorary fraternity to which you belonged.

Work experience is listed in reverse chronological order with the most recent experience listed first. You may also include internships and volunteer experience or they can be in a separate section called "Additional or Related Experience" or "Community Service." When describing work experience you should summarize your accomplishments rather than just listing the job. It is best to organize these work accomplishments into clusters of related tasks, using appropriate action verbs for emphasis.

Here is an example of a resume to use as a guide in writing yours. It does not state a career objective which will probably be different for each resume. Make the resume fit the position you are seeking.

Sample Resume
Robert Victor
321 E. Canton St.
Jacksonville, FL 54321
(123)555-4555

Education
[ 1992-1996 ] Arizona State University Tempe, Arizona
Bachelors of Arts, International Studies and Political Science

Work experience

[March 1998-February 2000] E.J. Johnson & Assoc. Phoenix, Arizona
Marketing Manager
Sold and Managed more than $1,000,000 in international telecommunication trade shows
Worked closely with customers to achieve their marketing and sales goals
Maintained the highest level of customer service

[March 1997-March 1998] Schaefer & Tolson
Phoenix, Arizona
Sales Associate
Assisted customers in purchasing cars, trucks, and vans
Awarded for exemplary customer service

Activities
Four and a half year Member Arizona State Football Club, Vice-President, Activities Coordinator and Captain, Career Achievement Award recipient, Co-organizer ASFC 25th Anniversary Celebration, volunteer assistant coach of ASFC after graduation, liaison between university and students as part of CAP (Community Assessment Project), and Vice-President Building Council
International Exp.

Worked in Ireland, traveled to Hong Kong, China, and throughout Europe.
Languages and Computer Skill
Basic knowledge of Russian and Ukrainian. Proficient in all Microsoft Office applications. Extensive knowledge of Internet
References
Available upon request

When sending your resume to a perspective employer, enclose a good cover letter with it. The cover letter should summarize the points in the resume. Be concise and above all, be professional. Check for misspellings and incorrect grammar in both the cover letter and the resume. This is the first thing the employer sees and tells a lot about you. Make it a good showing.

Learn more about this author, Annalou Mack.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.