How to Make a Resume

From LoveToKnow Business

If you're getting ready to seek a new job, it's important to know how to make a resume.

How to Write Better Resumes and Cover Letters

What is a Resume?

A resume is a document that provides information about your skills and qualifications to potential employers. When responding to a job advertisement or submitting an unsolicited employment inquiry to a company, you'll need to submit a copy of your resume, along with an appropriate cover letter. Resumes aren't formal job applications, but they are an important part of the job search process.

Employers typically review resumes to determine who will have an opportunity to interview for available positions. Your resume forms the basis for the first impression you make on prospective employers. If the document makes you seem like a good candidate for the position, you'll likely be asked to formally apply for the job. A substandard resume can keep you from being considered at all. That's why you should make sure you follow all the appropriate tips for how to make a resume when preparing yours.

Tips for How to Make a Resume

There is not a single right way to make a resume, but there are certainly plenty of things you can do to make your resume appeal to employers. Certain types of information should be included in every resume, as well as many things that should be avoided when writing a resume.

Gather Necessary Information

Before you start writing your resume, pull together information to draft the document. You'll need details about prior jobs including:

names and locations of companies you've worked for
dates of employment
job title
general duties.

You'll also need to know specifics about your education, including the official title of any programs of study you attended or completed as well as dates of enrollment.

It's essential to include accurate information, as employers usually verify this type of information during the hiring process. Inconsistencies between what appears on your resume and what the employer discovers when running a background check can potentially keep you from being considered for employment.

Put thought into what it is that makes you a good candidate for the types of jobs you're applying for, before you start writing your resume. Come up with a list of skills relevant to the types of jobs you apply for. This information can be included on your resume in the form of a bulleted list, so that employers can easily see what you have to offer at a glance.

Select the Best Format

Resumes can be organized in several ways. The two most common resume formats are "chronological" and "functional". The format you choose should be one that is appropriate for your background and the type of position you are applying for.

Chronological - Chronological resumes focus on detailing your employment history in order, starting with your most recent job and moving backwards. Education is reported in the same manner. This type of resume is appropriate for someone whose employment and educational history shows a steady pattern of progress toward the type of position he or she is applying for. This format works well for recent college graduates and professionals looking for new opportunities in professions that are somewhat similar to what they have done in the past.

Functional - Functional resumes emphasize accomplishments and skills rather than the timeline of one's work history. Prior employment history should still be included, but it isn't the focal point. Instead, the content focuses on highlighting major accomplishments and skill sets. This type of resume works well for those looking to make a transition to a completely new type of career, because it affords an opportunity to highlight career accomplishments that relate to the job currently being sought. It can also be a good option for individuals with significant gaps in their employment history.

Avoid Inappropriate Information

The information on your resume needs to paint a picture of why you are a good candidate for the job. Irrelevant information should be left off the document. Do not include information about your hobbies, marital status, children, religion, age, or weight. It's also inappropriate to include a photograph of yourself unless you're applying for a modeling or acting position.

Project a Professional Image

Make sure the resume you send projects an appropriate image. Even a well-written document will not be effective if it doesn't have the right look. It's best to keep your resume to a single type written page. Length, however, isn't the only important consideration. Use a font that is simple and easy to read. If you'll be sending your resume via fax, be certain that the type face you select will transmit well. It's best to use a san serif font such as Arial, Calibri, or Verdana in a size no smaller than 10 points.

The type of paper you use for your resume is also important. For faxes, plain copy paper is fine. If you'll be mailing your resume, however, use a heavy weight paper in a light color such as white, beige, or gray. Avoid pastels, bright colors, or anything with a pattern. Do not, under any circumstances, spray your resume with any type of scent before mailing it.

Proofread Carefully

Do not risk sending out a resume that has typographical or grammatical mistakes in it. Doing so could keep you from being selected for an interview. Proofread the document carefully yourself, then have at least one other person review it.

Resume Examples

It's a good idea to look at examples of resumes that other people have used successfully when you're working on how to make a resume for yourself. The following websites have sample resumes you may find to be helpful as you work on creating your own:

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