How to write a resume: having a resume is an essential part of getting a job for most people. I based the information in this article on two sources. The first source is the hundreds of resumes I have read as a corporate recruiter. The second source is the feedback I have received from hiring managers, staffing managers, other recruiters, and from interviewing hundreds of applicants. These are suggestions only, but the layout is a working format. If you replace the information below with your information, you will have written a resume.
A resume is similar to a job application. When you complete a job application, you will need to list the jobs you have had, where you performed those jobs, and when you had those jobs. Therefore, you will find it useful to have your resume with you as you complete job applications.
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CONTACT INFORMATION
Your name
Street address
City, State Zip
Home phone
Cell phone
Email address
OBJECTIVE AND SUMMARY
Stating an objective or a giving a summary at the beginning of the resume is common practice. Stating an objective or providing a summary is optional.
EMPLOYMENT HISTORY
There is no sentence structure in a resume. The wording in a resume is simply a series of statements of actions and accomplishments.
For example, this is a sentence: I doubled the company’s sales in 6 months.
This is resume wording: Doubled company’s sales in 6 months.
The history in a resume is just a list that includes employment periods, performance, skills, responsibilities, accomplishments, and education.
(Most recent job first)
Company Name; company Location, From –to
Most recent title, Location, From – to
Use bullet format.
• List things you have accomplished. Do not waste space on your just giving a job description. List things that showed that you made a difference in the positions you held.
• Use facts—for example, exceeded assigned sales goal by 30%, reduced costs, promoted people, saved time, increased productivity, etc.
• Employers and recruiters search their databases for specific words, so list successes with specific industry words or functions. Include the real name of your product categories, product names, sales accounts, functions (e.g., Profit & Loss, Market Research or Software Names, New Product Development, Market Insights, Innovation), etc.
Then include Previous Companies going back in time from most recent.
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EDUCATION
Normally, education goes at the bottom of the resume. People who have recently received an educational degree or credential that alters their employability might consider putting education at the top of the resume.
Other items that might go at the bottom of the resume are awards, extra skills, volunteer work, or perhaps some relevant college employment.
HOW TO SHORTEN YOUR RESUME FOR READABILITY
Hiring managers only spend seconds looking at each resume. They are going through stacks of resumes, often in documents that they have to open one at a time.
Avoiding the following items might make the difference as to whether a hiring manager reads your resume.
Objective
Summary
Hobbies
References
References available on request
Compensation
Long paragraph formats
Long-winded discussions of core responsibilities
Too many details on jobs with well-known functions
Details on jobs that date back in time
Paragraph formatting
Third person reference