by Jennifer Metz

Created on: January 06, 2009

Writing a successful resume takes some time and effort, but will pay off greatly in the end. Your resume is often picked up and barely glanced at by prospective employers. it is crucial to make a winning and lasting impression on employers in an effort to score the interview. These steps will walk you through the creation of a successful resume

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STEP ONE.
Write your contact information on the top of the resume, centered, and in bold lettering. Regular fonts work best, such as Arial and Times New Roman. Anything fancy is often a turn off for employers. Your contact information should be no more than 5 lines, consisting of, Name, Address, Telephone, Email.

STEP TWO.

Write your job objective. This is the one area that most people overlook, or overgeneralize, and consequently, this is the area most employers say holds the most importance to them. This is where they decide if they will keep reading. Write the words "Job Objective" in bold letters to the left margin. Underneath, write a winning sentence explaining:

- What you are hoping to find in your quest for a job. Ex.: I am desiring full time employment with a health care facility that caters to children.

- Why you would be an excellent candidate, in one sentence. Ex.: I am patient, hard working, reliable and thorough in my work.

- Clearly state that you feel you would be an excellent candidate for their company.

STEP THREE.

Now for a summary of qualifications. In bold letters, as you did with the previous heading, write "Summary of Qualifications". List, using bullet points, at least 4 reasons you are qualified for the job. This is not where you put character traits, such as dependable, reliable, etc. This is for actual qualifications you may hold. This is where you put positions held and skills you may have, such as computer/software skills, typing words per minute ability, etc.

STEP FOUR.

Another bold heading should follow, labeled "Professional Experience". List your last three employers, beginning with your current or most recent employer. In bold, you should list the dates of employment and the place of employment. Directly underneath, you should put your position title. In a few bullet points following, list your duties. Be exact as possible, but limit yourself to only a few lines. If you can only come up with two past employers, make up for it with detail.

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STEP FIVE.

The last important area of your resume is your "Education and Affiliations". List your education, in order from most recent, going back to high school. If you have a myriad of higher education, list only the last three institutions attended. If you are affiliated with any boards or societies, be sure to include that as well. For instance, if you belong to a board for your profession, such as a "Board of Realtors", or perhaps the local "Bar Association" for attorneys and paralegals.

Other areas you may want to consider adding are "References" and/or "Salary Requirements". These are two areas that are usually left off, and therefore can be negotiated or discussed during interview. It is also important to print your resume on fine linen paper, either ivory or off-white. The purpose of a resume is to sell yourself to a prospective employer. Make them excited to call you for an interview because you are EXACTLY what they have been looking for!

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