by Lorenza

Created on: March 14, 2009

Getting ready to prepare an effective resume can happen at any stage of life, after high school or college, or following a stint of employment at the same company for a few years. If it's your first resume, there are basic rules to follow. Some things will be easy, and a standard outline is to list your professional and technical skills, specific job-related talents you have picked up along the way, past employment and the time periods worked, your education and any references you may have.

In listing past employers on your first resume, be sure to include even part-time work or perhaps a job you held that you were not paid for, such as an internship. Even if you had no jobs aside from having a paper route or perhaps babysitting for the same family over several years, you can still list these types of jobs to show your responsibility and dependability. It is important to include any place you worked, because skills are learned from all jobs. Then you list your education, where and when you went to school, and when you graduated or received your degree. Be sure you list which degree or degrees you earned and the course of study, along with any certificates of achievement and honors you may have received.

The most important thing to remember about creating an effective resume is that each job you are applying for is a different target market, and your resume will need to reflect the talent you are selling for that specific market.

For example, if you suddenly find yourself unemployed following several years at the same company, review your resume and make sure you add the things you may have learned at that company. Perhaps you were in charge of a department or area of the company during the manager's absence. This is considered supervisory experience, and should be added to your resume as such. Any certificates or job-related courses you received during your employment are considered education, so add them to the education area of your resume, as well. If you worked for the same company but were promoted or transferred within the company, each position is considered another job and should be added as such.

You should also review your skills and job-related experience and tailor them to fit the job for which you are applying. If you learned how to type faster or use a ten-key adding machine, go to the nearest labor department or employment agency and request testing. This will enhance your resume and show you are not relying on a test you may have taken ten years

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