Writing a Resume
A resume is a formal way of listing your past jobs and your education.
There are two general ways to write a resume. With the first type—the traditional resume—you focus on your experience. You list your jobs, starting with the most recent, and then work your way back.
The second type of resume is known as a "skills" resume because it focuses more on your skills than your experience. These are best for newcomers to the job market, either right out of school or entering the workforce for the first time.
The type of resume that’s best for you depends on a few factors. If your work history has been steady and focused mainly in one field, the traditional resume may work best. If there are gaps in your work history, you've changed careers, or you've had a variety of unrelated jobs, the skills resume may be best for you.
Regardless of the type of resume you choose, it should follow certain guidelines to be posted to Internet job sites or to submit to an employer who requests an electronic version be sent by e-mail. Here are a few ideas:
- Use simple formatting and one or two fonts. Be sure it can be read as a .txt version, which will remove formatting.
- Use keywords from the job you're interested in, and tailor each resume to the job. This is helpful for automated scanners that sort candidates into the first round of selection and much more effective than sending the same resume for every position you apply for.
Use your cover letter to explain more about how your background fits with the company, the skills you bring and how you’ll be an asset as an employee. The cover letter helps you set yourself apart from the competition. If you e-mail your resume, your cover letter can be included in your main message.
Your local library and many free online sources provide good information on how to write a strong resume. Search for "resume writing tips."
Employment ABCs: Applications and Resumes
Writing a Resume
