Preparing your resume

Basma · 27th January 2008

Write it yourself. Look at examples of resumes, but do not copy them. If you copy a resume, it will not be a true reflection of you. Many employers will soon realize that you did not write it yourself.
Make every word count. Limit your resume to one page, two at the most. After you have a first draft, edit it at least two more times. If a word or phrase does not support your ability to do the job, cut it out. Omit personal pronouns (I, we, she, etc.). Look for extra words in each section that do not add to your information. Eliminate words that point out the obvious (for example: “Resume,” “Phone Number”). Use phrases that aredescriptive, but not wordy. Avoid lengthy paragraphs of information; employers will scan right over them.
Employers do not read resumes. They skim over resumes for 15-20 seconds – the first time. Your resume must capture the reader’s attention, so look at it as a flyer or advertisement for yourself. Make it look inviting to the reader. Remember, to get the job, your resume has to get the employer’s attention for more than just a glance.
Use action words. Start each phrase with an action-oriented word. Use verbs such as “initiated,” “created,” or “managed” to describe your activities and responsibilities. Use present tense to describe activities in which you are currently involved; for all others, use past tense. The “I” is always implied.
Emphasize skills and accomplishments. Highlight skills that transfer from one situation to another. Focus on the experiences that reflect the best of your abilities. The fact that you successfully coordinated a student organization event leads one to believe that you could coordinate other things as well.
Be positive. Capitalize on your strengths and leave out any negative words. Do not apologize for any lack of experience or a weakness.
Make it error-free. Ask someone to proofread for grammar and spelling errors. It is amazing how many errors can get into the final version. There is no excuse for misspellings, poor grammar, and typing errors – just one will cost you a job. Show your resume to friends, family, and professional career counselors. Strive for perfection!
Make it look good. Make it look professional. Today’s word processing technology allows you to create professional resumes on your own. If you are not doing it yourself, have it professionally typeset and produced on a good quality paper. Appearance makes a lasting impression.
Stress your accomplishments. A resume is no place to be humble. You should tell employers why you are the best person for the job. Be specific by providing facts and numbers. Instead of writing that you “are good with people,” write “Supervised and trained four people and increased their productivity by 30%.”
Expound upon your relevant experiences. Condense any jobs or experiences that are not directly related and make room for information that supports your objective. This means that your resume will have a slant toward the type of job you are seeking. NOTE: Seriously consider having more than one resume to apply for different types of jobs.
Avoid use of abbreviations. Unless abbreviations are fully understood they can be confusing. Examples: A.S., B.A., B.S., G.P.A., and PA are common and understandable; spell out other acronyms. Avoid using “etc.”
Be accurate and honest. Do not overstate your previous responsibilities or titles. Do not fabricate past employment experiences or academic credentials. Dishonesty and exaggeration on your resume (or at any other time during the job search process) will come back to haunt you.

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27th January 2008	#1 (permalink)
Basma Administrator Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 89	Preparing your resume Write it yourself. Look at examples of resumes, but do not copy them. If you copy a resume, it will not be a true reflection of you. Many employers will soon realize that you did not write it yourself. Make every word count. Limit your resume to one page, two at the most. After you have a first draft, edit it at least two more times. If a word or phrase does not support your ability to do the job, cut it out. Omit personal pronouns (I, we, she, etc.). Look for extra words in each section that do not add to your information. Eliminate words that point out the obvious (for example: “Resume,” “Phone Number”). Use phrases that aredescriptive, but not wordy. Avoid lengthy paragraphs of information; employers will scan right over them. Employers do not read resumes. They skim over resumes for 15-20 seconds – the first time. Your resume must capture the reader’s attention, so look at it as a flyer or advertisement for yourself. Make it look inviting to the reader. Remember, to get the job, your resume has to get the employer’s attention for more than just a glance. Use action words. Start each phrase with an action-oriented word. Use verbs such as “initiated,” “created,” or “managed” to describe your activities and responsibilities. Use present tense to describe activities in which you are currently involved; for all others, use past tense. The “I” is always implied. Emphasize skills and accomplishments. Highlight skills that transfer from one situation to another. Focus on the experiences that reflect the best of your abilities. The fact that you successfully coordinated a student organization event leads one to believe that you could coordinate other things as well. Be positive. Capitalize on your strengths and leave out any negative words. Do not apologize for any lack of experience or a weakness. Make it error-free. Ask someone to proofread for grammar and spelling errors. It is amazing how many errors can get into the final version. There is no excuse for misspellings, poor grammar, and typing errors – just one will cost you a job. Show your resume to friends, family, and professional career counselors. Strive for perfection! Make it look good. Make it look professional. Today’s word processing technology allows you to create professional resumes on your own. If you are not doing it yourself, have it professionally typeset and produced on a good quality paper. Appearance makes a lasting impression. Stress your accomplishments. A resume is no place to be humble. You should tell employers why you are the best person for the job. Be specific by providing facts and numbers. Instead of writing that you “are good with people,” write “Supervised and trained four people and increased their productivity by 30%.” Expound upon your relevant experiences. Condense any jobs or experiences that are not directly related and make room for information that supports your objective. This means that your resume will have a slant toward the type of job you are seeking. NOTE: Seriously consider having more than one resume to apply for different types of jobs. Avoid use of abbreviations. Unless abbreviations are fully understood they can be confusing. Examples: A.S., B.A., B.S., G.P.A., and PA are common and understandable; spell out other acronyms. Avoid using “etc.” Be accurate and honest. Do not overstate your previous responsibilities or titles. Do not fabricate past employment experiences or academic credentials. Dishonesty and exaggeration on your resume (or at any other time during the job search process) will come back to haunt you. ---------------- Extracted from [Only registered and activated users can see links. ]