by Tim Driver

Created on: May 16, 2008   Last Updated: February 05, 2011

Whether looking for your first job, or moving up into top level management, few things speak better of you than your resume. Here are ten things to consider when creating a resume for yourself:

1) What is a resume and what goes in it?

A resume is nothing more than a verbal snapshot of who you are, what your experiences have been, and why an employer should consider you above all the others for a specific position.

2) How long should it be?

Most successful resumes are one page in length. There are some exceptions for positions that require many skills or experiences that need to be documented, but in most cases if you cannot keep it to a page, you need to condense.

3) What font and formatting options should I use?

There are few "absolutes" but the key is consistency. Use a font type and size that are easily readable. Use bold and italic formatting to guide the reader through your resume, but be consistent. If you bold and underline one heading, bold and underline all the headings. Margins should be standard 1" around.

4) What are the different types of resumes?

There are 3 main types of resumes. The "Reverse Chronological", the "Functional" or "Skill Based", and the "Combination". The Reverse Chronological lists your experiences starting with the most recent and working backwards. It maintains this style in every category such as education, work history etc. . The Functional resume categorizes by skill. So all experiences that fall under Administrative, for instance, would be grouped together under the heading of "Administrative Experience". Under the list of jobs relating to each particular skill area goes an explanation of what specific skills were acquired in doing these jobs. Try to list skills that could carry over or relate directly to the job being sought.

5) What are 5 specific mistakes to avoid?

Misspellings - nothing kills your chances faster

Unnecessary information - don't clutter your resume or try to "pad" it.

Not being truthful - They will check on what you claim to be true.

Too much personal information - such as height, weight, unrelated hobbies etc.

References - don't list them here, if you must, simply say they are "available upon request"

6) Personal Information Section

Include name, address, phone, and email. Make sure your email is one that seems somewhat professional and not "hoochymomma@hotmail.com"

7) Overview Section

This can be as short as a sentence, but should be no longer than a paragraph. It is the "mission" that you hope to accomplish.

• 1
• 2
• Next Page >>