Writing A Winning ResumeWriting a resume can be daunting. After all, you’re trying to sell yourself to prospective employers! But it doesn’t have to be hard. Here are the five sections you’ll need to get right when you’re writing your resume. Section 1: identifying informationThe first section of your resume should include your contact information: your name, address, phone number, fax and email address.To abbreviate or not to abbreviate? In most cases, abbreviating your state name is acceptable. However, if you've got the space, spell out your street name (avenue, street, road, etc). Most communication today comes via email or phone, so ensure all your details are current and correct. This is crucial. Correct information makes it easy for prospective employers to get in contact with you. There’s no point in slaving over the rest of your resume if the phone number’s wrong! Section 2: your summaryThis one-paragraph section of your resume is exactly what it says: it is a summary of you, the candidate.
Your summary is an important part of your resume. As the first thing potential employers see, it sets the tone for the rest of your resume. It gives them a snapshot of who you are…and, if written well, it entices them to read further. Your summary tells an employer two essential things: 1) It tells an employer who you are, where your strengths lie and what you can offer them. You have the opportunity to choose what you project, emphasising the skills or experience you think is the most important. 2) It tells an employer if you are a potential match of the job they’re offering. A well-written summary can give employers a keen insight about the candidate: are you working towards the same goals as the employer? Some resumes will contain an objective instead of a summary. However, we at Ready Resumes believe a summary is more effective because it can, and often does, include a brief objective too. Sample summary: I am a senior office manager who thrives on challenge. Computer literate in all major programs (MS Word, Excel, Powerpoint). I can successfully manage a range of budgets and accounts. Fluent in French, I am a dynamic communicator, team member and manager. Writing your summary Step 1: Project yourself. Your summary should be a projection of who you are and what you can offer an employer. So start thinking: how do you want to come across? Cutting-edge and young? Established and experienced? As a leader? Don’t be afraid to add strength to your statements. Instead of saying ‘I am a graphic designer’, project strength: ‘I am a dynamic graphic design creative.’ Step 2: Distill your skills. Briefly list out your own skills, education and experience. Which ones stand out? List anything you believe makes you especially unique or employable. Now choose just the skills, education and experience most relevant to the position you want. Be picky! Remember, your summary should be a short and concise statement, not a long laundry-list! Step 3: Start writing! A common way to write a summary is in the first person using complete sentences. The sample summary above is an example of this. Your summary should be 100 words or less (remember, it's not a novel!) Include the most relevant information towards the beginning – that can mean the information most relevant to the job for which you're applying, or the information most accurate in describing you/your skills. When writing, make sure you write in short sentences using concise, dynamic words. Check through our Power Words for some creative ideas! Section 3: skills & abilitiesBy listing your skills and abilities, you have the opportunity to impress on an employer why you are especially suited to their position. Include skills such as:
You can also list personal, career or life experiences or traits that make you especially unique or employable. For example, are you known for being a good negotiator? Team player? Being exceptionally organised? Creative? Artistic? Detail-oriented? Include these in your skills/abilities. However, try to be specific – recruiters can see through the hype you write if your skills/abilities list only contains these theoretical traits! Section 4: educationEmployers want to know that you have the right credentials for their position. You can show them in the education section of your resume.Each entry should feature:
You can also list short courses, work-related classes or other certificates you have been awarded. These help show employers that you are continuing to update your industry knowledge and qualifications. Section 5: work historyYour work history section is like the heart of your resume. It tells the employer where you've been and what you've accomplished in past positions…and it hints at what you are capable of accomplishing in your future positions.Most importantly: keep this section brief and tight. Remember, prospective employers have only a few minutes to review each resume they receive. Include 2-3 jobs related to the one for which you're applying. Listing fewer, but more relevant, positions is far better than a long laundry-list, especially if you have held more than 3 full-time positions over a 12 month period. Leave off jobs held during high school/university, unless you are a student or graduate, or these positions directly relate to the position for which you're applying. The right information: Each entry in your employment section should include the following:
Details, details: Your work history should be more than just a list of jobs and descriptions. Think about what you achieved in the position. What would you best be remembered for? A short series of bullet points detailing your responsibilities and achievements should follow the description. Each bullet point should be a short sentence. Although you want to keep each point short, don't forget to be specific. Details speak louder than generalisations! Some examples:
What kinds of details?
For more helpful information on what to include and how to include it, check out the Ready Resumes Top 10 Resume Killers To Avoid. Ready Resume Example  NOTE: The purpose of this article is to provide information about various employment related topics. No legal advice is being given. Please see the disclaimer for further limitations and conditions. |
Scroll down these helpful hints, to see an example of a successful Ready Resume and get your creative juices flowing! |