by C. A. Pruit

Created on: May 18, 2008   Last Updated: December 07, 2010

You are faced with the challenging task of writing your own resume. You want to make sure that employers will read your resume, not just throw it away with other unqualified applicants. So how do you develop a resume you can be proud of and will get you the interview?

Here are 10 things you should consider:

1. Understand the purpose of a Resume. A resume is not an autobiography and does not need to include every aspect of your life. The resume is not designed to get you the job. The sole purpose of a resume is to get the interview.

2. Put yourself in the Interviewers place. They may get thousands of resumes for one position. They are not going to have time to read a novel, so make sure your resume is clear and to the point.

3. Know the three secrets that employers look for.
a. Keywords: 90% of resumes are discarded because the applicant is not specific about the position desired. If an employer is looking for a Web Designer, they will look for the words Web Designer on the resume. Hint: Include the title in the top 1/3 of your resume so it can be found quickly.

b. Objective - Tailor your Resume. It does not need to include every job you ever had in your life. Only include those things that are pertinent to the job you are applying for. This also applies to schooling, hobbies, affiliations, etc. If it is beneficial to the position, mention it, if not leave it out.

c. Use Action Words. Instead of using terms like "responsible for" or "duties included" use stronger terms like "managed, negotiated or implemented". Show how your experience can be beneficial to the business.

4. Know what type of resume to use. If you have special circumstances such as a number of employers, gaps in employment history, or just starting out with no employment history, these can be overcome by using the right kind of resume style. Examples of resume styles would be chronological, functional, combined, skills and performance to name a few.

5. Understanding how to format a resume. As mentioned earlier, the employer does not have the time to read long, bulky pages. Your resume should be no more than one page, or if a professional such as a doctor, lawyer, etc. no more than two pages. Use bullet points to highlight specific areas. If you are sending your resume online, use the ASCII format to keep the text from being scrambled. If typing in ASCII format, use Courier 10 point type, but, if printing your resume, use 12 point Times New Roman or Courier type.

6. Know what to avoid. There

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