Are you serious about getting a job or an internship but you’re clueless as to what and what not to include in your resume? While some would argue writing a resume is a difficult and tedious task, writing a good resume is a skill worth learning.A good resume sets you apart from hundreds of other candidates that have applied for the same position. The focal point in writing a great resume is to be selective in the information you want to share by including only the details that are relevant to the employer and the position you are acquiring.
To make your resume outshine the others it is equally important to think about your skills and past experiences that could relate to the job. When writing a resume the goal is to be honest, professional and concise.
Below are nine simple steps to follow when writing a resume
1.) Keep resumes to a maximum of 2 pages long. Employers receive a lot of resumes for one position and won’t have the time to go through a three or four page resume.
2.) List an objective at the beginning of your resume and target it to the job company that you are applying to. Objectives give the prospective employer an idea of what you are looking for.
3.) Move things around. Have more than one resume layout. For example, if you are short on work experience that would relate to the position you are applying for but have volunteer experience that matches, put that first. It’s best to have relevant information first in order to keep the employer’s attention.
4.) Don’t put “Reference available upon request” at the end of your resume. All employers know that and it doesn’t need to be stated.
5.) Consider whether you need to add your interests. In most cases it is unnecessary information that takes up valuable space.
6.) Use bullet points when describing job duties. This is easier to read than big paragraphs.
7.) Always use specifics and numbers if you can. For example, if you were applying for a sales position you might mention what percentage of sales you had in your previous job or the number of customers you typically handled per day.
8.) Add any continuing education courses you have taken. For example, if you’ve taken one hour courses on how to deal with difficult customers, add that to your resume. This shows the prospective employer that you are interested in furthering your knowledge and aren’t afraid to learn new things.
9.) Have an “Additional Information” section at the end of your resume and add any special achievements or honors, especially if they relate to the position for which you are applying.
Ronni Cain is a fourth-year student majoring in English with a minor in journalism. She can be reached at rc631645@wcupa.edu