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. For instance, "Objective: To use my masters degree in education and 25 years of experience to become part of a school leadership team." Try to keep it brief and goal oriented. This section is merely to hit the highest of the highlights of your education or experience. It should pique the curiosity of the employer to read further.
8) Work Experience Section
See "types of resumes" above to decide which is best for you. When describing the skills you acquired or the responsibilities you had, use ACTION VERBS. For instance, "managed a 500,000 dollar budget", or "supervised 7 workers in the graphics department". The more specific you can be in your descriptions the better. Also use adjectives and nouns that complement your work there. Things such as "rapidly growing company", "growth", "responsible for" are all power words that reinforce that you would be a nice addition to a company. Leave out work experiences that are unrelated or informal in nature.
9) Education
List in reverse chronological order. Be specific about any degrees, numbers of credits, or certifications received from your schools. Do NOT list high school, unless it is the most recent education and you are new to the job market.
10) Other Interests
Only put things that might be relevant. Avoid unrelated hobbies or awards that otherwise are unknown to employers. Academic honors and the like made for this section.
These tips will help in getting that resume read and an interview scheduled! Best of luck.