Learning How to Write a Resume
Knowing how to write a resume is a crucial and invaluable skill to have. More importantly, however, you need to know how to make a resume that is both factual, beneficial to you, and has the “wow” factor needed to guarantee that you will grab any potential employer’s decision. Nowadays, a lot of people lack that skill, not because they are lacking in any way but simply because they have not mastered it.
Recent college graduates in particular can greatly benefit from learning how to write a resume. More and more students are focusing on their educations rather than simultaneously working. Speaking as a student who went that route, your humble author can attest to the fact that graduating and then finding that you have know idea how to write a really fantastic resume can be problematic. Going any length of time without having a job, or having gaps in your employment history, can also make the whole process overwhelming. Getting a job these days, in any number of fields, can be a classic case of Catch-22: potential employers will not hire you if you do not have sufficient work experience – but they will not hire you so that you can get that experience, leaving you to wonder how on earth you are every going to gain any experience if no employers will give you a break and a chance. It just so happens that there are a few great resume tips which can help you get around that.
The first step in learning how to write a resume is to make a list detailing all of your accomplishments. Understand, however, that you may have to pare this down. Your CV is where the details can go; a resume needs to be significantly shorter. Still, you can and should include any jobs, awards, degrees, skills, or personal projects, especially those that show you will be ideal for any particular position to which you are applying. Which brings us to the second thing you need to do, which is tailor that list to the individual jobs you are trying to get. Relevance is key here, so choose very carefully. You also need to think very carefully about your objective for each individual position.
When you get to the point where you will be listing your past work experience, stop and think. Are there gaps in your employment history? Just be up front about them; be honest about why they occurred. You can mention this briefly in your resume – or in more detail, depending on what kind of resume format you use. Otherwise, you can explain yourself more in your CV. Keep in mind that no matter what format that may be – functional, chronological, et cetera – it should not be more than two pages.
Looking at appropriate examples is the best way to learn how to write a resume. That way, you get a clearer picture concerning what goes where. Furthermore, it can really help to see firsthand how you can best manage to be concise, while still making yourself shine for prospective employers. Remember, when you have a fantastic resume, an excellent CV, and a high quality cover letter, you are going to catch the employer’s attention and keep it, making it much easier to get called back for an interview.
