Three Steps to Writing Your Own Resume

While most professionals hire a professional resume writer, some draft their own resume. People who write a lot for business usually have more success in putting together a sharp, focused presentation; still, anyone can learn the basic steps to prepare his or her own resume.

There are three major differences between a "strong" resume and an "o.k." resume:

1. FORMAT AND PRESENTATION DETERMINE WHETHER THE RESUME IS READ

The average resume is scanned, not read, for only 8-15 seconds. It either creates a strong impression to the reader immediately or it is set aside. It is similar to the impression you make on the interviewer. Therefore, make sure your resume is wearing the equivalent of a "business suit" and not jeans and flip-flops!

Choose a format that complements your career goal. If you are seeking a job in your field and have experience, use a chronological resume. This resume starts with your most recent job and works backward. Conversely, if you are seeking a new type of work, you may want to consider the functional/combination resume. This style groups your skills together and includes a short chronological work history at the end.

Other ways to insure that your presentation gets noticed include:

* No errors: use spell check and also have someone review your resume for missing or misused words

Tip! On the other hand, people that have utilized my professional resume writing services have reported getting hired on average within 5 weeks.

* Use a Consistent format and use of capitalization and punctuation throughout

* Provide lots of white space to accent strong parts of the resume

* Use no more than 2 fonts

* Include your name and address, a phone and email address

* Laser print your work on quality white or cream resume paper

2. ACCOMPLISHMENTS TELL WHAT YOU'VE DONE; RESPONSBILITIES STATE WHAT YOU WERE SUPPOSED TO HAVE DONE

Not all accomplishments have to be big, but they have to show that you got results as you carried out your responsibilities. Often, they are something you are proud of or, they can simply quantify what you have done on a daily basis. Many of your routine activities can be quantified and written as accomplishments that demonstrate your experience and knowledge, and proof of how you've HELPED the company!

Here are some things to consider when naming accomplishments. Quantify whenever possible. For instance, did you:

* save the company money? How much and how?

* help improve sales? By how much?

Tip! Free resume writing software services vary in terms of what is offered and how the information you create can be accessed. Therefore, it is extremely important that you research these factors when considering the use of any free resume writing software.

* improve productivity and efficiency?

* implement any new systems or processes?

* help launch any new products or services?

* achieve more with (same or fewer) resources?

* resolve a major problem with little investment?

* participate in any technical/operational improvements?

* exceed accepted standards for quality or quantity?

* identify the need for a program or service?

* prepare any original reports, studies or documents?

* serve on any committees? What was the outcome?

* get elected to any boards, teams or task forces?

* resolve customer problems?

* get rated as outstanding in performance reviews?

3. AVOID COMMON ERRORS IN RESUME WRITING

Many job seekers either don't know or don't understand the many items that do not belong in a resume. They include the following:

* Do not use "I", "me" or "my" statements; use the telegraphic method and drop the pronoun to make it more active. Instead of "I wrote the 40-page employee manual", say "Wrote 40-page employee manual"

* Avoid the use of the words "responsible for" and "duties included"

* Do not include personal information, such as age, health, ethnicity, marriage and family status. Employers will throw your resume out if it has such information because they could someday be accused of hiring bias

* Do not include photographs unless you are a model or actor

* Do not explain your reasons for leaving your previous jobs or employment gaps

* Don't send extra papers such as letters of recommendation, certificates or samples of your work. They clutter your presentation and are too premature. Use in the interview if appropriate

Tip! I never thought resume writing would be difficult for folks, but after 23 years as a hiring manager and supervisor of staff looking to move ahead, I was amazed by people's indifference, lack of knowledge and level of discomfort in writing their resume. Most did not have a resume, and those that did, were poorly done.

* Never include salary information

* Do not forward a list of references

About The Author

Recognized as a career expert, Linda Matias brings a wealth of experience to the career services field. She has been sought out for her knowledge of the employment market, outplacement, job search strategies, interview preparation, and resume writing, quoted a number of times in The Wall Street Journal, New York Newsday, Newsweek, and HR-esource.com. She is President of CareerStrides and the National Resume Writers' Association. Visit her website at www.careerstrides.com or email her at careerstrides@bigfoot.com.

Writing A Great Resume, Part 1

Need a great resume to land that great job coming up? We are going to learn to create an eye-catching resume, using Microsoft Word.

First, you need to collect all the information you will need to complete your Resume (dates of employment, education dates.....).

Let's go to 'start' -- 'programs' -- 'Microsoft Word'. When the page opens, begin where the cursor is flashing and type in 'Resume'. Skip a few lines, by pressing the 'enter' key.

Type in 'Personal Details'. Give your name, complete address, phone and fax number (if you have a fax #). Skip a few more lines.

Type in 'Employment'. Begin with your last job and list the dates (from -- to) of each job, hit the 'tab' key, and enter your job title. Press 'Enter' and type the details of your duties.

Skip a few more lines and type in 'Education'. Complete this section like we did for 'Employment', only give the dates you attended school and the subject studied.

Skip a few more lines and type in 'Computer Skills'. Tell them what type of computer skills you have (ie -- PC or Mac, how long you have been working with computers and any other information about computers that you think they should know). Skip a few more lines and type in 'Hobbies and Interests'. Tell them what you are interested in and what you enjoy doing during your time away from work.

Check your Resume for any spelling mistakes, by going to the 'Tools Menu' and choose 'Spelling and Grammar', or use F7 on your keyboard to bring up the 'Spelling and Grammar'.

Let's style our Resume by highlighting the title and clicking the 'Center' toolbar button. Go to the 'Format Menu' and select 'Font'. Choose the style and size of your 'Font'. You can 'view' the style and size, in the preview window. When you have it the wy you want it, click 'ok'.

To 'save' your Resume, got to the 'Save Toolbar Button'. Give your Resume a name, 'My Resume'. Click 'save'. I suggest you save it in the Business Stationery Folder we set-up for our letterhead and business cards.

You can also use the 'wizard' to complete your Resume. This might be a good idea for the first one (so you get the idea). You will get the wizard when you first open up Miscrosoft Works. Just double-click on 'Resume' and follow the instructions.
Tip! Upper Class CV Writing & Resume Writing Ltd. - Ola Philip King is a professional CV Writing & Resume Writing Consultant and Recruiter she has helped many job seekers secure their dream post across diverse job sectors through her CV /Resume Writing Services and Recruitment activities.

About The Author

Jane Fulton is Owner & Webmistress of http://janes-place.com 'Home For Newbies & Beginning Marketers'. She has been helping them for almost 4yrs now. She publishes a newsletter, Newbie & Affiliate SOS Newsletter. It appears online twice a month. If you like these 'How To' type of articles, subscribe to her newsletter at: http://janes-place.com/sos.htm; webmistress@janes-place.com