HOW TO PREPARE YOUR RESUME
A resume is a concise one-page to two-page summary of your job qualifications. It identifies you, how you communicate and present yourself, what you can do for an organization, and how you can be contacted for an interview. It should be easy to read, interesting, dynamic, neat, and accurate. It usually accompanies a cover letter and/or an application form . Jobs that often require a resume include professional, technical, managerial, sales, and clerical jobs. A resume should be targeted to each position for which you apply. If you use the same resume for different jobs. however, use a separate cover letter to show how your skills and experience qualify you for the specific job.
The resume's content and format should emphasize your strengths and accomplishments and be relevant to the position you seek. It should highlight training, skills, experience, and other qualifications that closely match the job requirements. Activities, sports, and other types of experience require abilities, knowledge, and skills that can be applied to jobs. Remember, employers generally look for qualifications that directly relate to the position for which they are hiring. In addition, they may also be looking for achievements and length of employment at other jobs. If you are unable to get a detailed job description from the employer, consult Career Kokua's Occupations file for typical job duties and requirements.
Choose a format. Resumes can be written using a variety of formats. The best way to organize your resume is in a format that highlights your qualifications. Major types are:
Chronological:
By time order. Employment history is listed with most recent position described first.
Functional:
By function or task. Focuses on accomplishments and skills instead of specific positions held.
Combination:
Combines chronological and functional formats.
There are also resumes that can be e-mailed or posted on an on-line employment application form and scannable resumes.
PARTS OF THE RESUME:
The information described below should be included in your resume. The information you provide should be arranged so that your strongest points are stated first. For example, if you graduated recently and have little or no experience, start with your education. If you have a lot of relevant work experience, start with your experience.
1. Contact Information: Your name, address, and phone number. This should be listed first on your resume. List only one or two numbers where you can be reached during business hours. Have an answering machine if you may not be available. You may include an e-mail address.
2. Employment Objective: This should be the same as or related to the position you are seeking or describe the industry of interest to you. It should be clear and well defined. In place of an objective, a summary or brief description of your career may be added.
3. Education: Beginning with the most recent, list schools and any workshops and training attended. Degrees, certificates, and diplomas received should also be listed. Indicate any specialty within your major, especially if the information fits the job. Grade point averages should be included only if they can be considered assets. Recent graduates with limited related work experience should list as much information about related courses taken, especially beyond high school. Include vocational education, military, on-the-job training, and internships. List your high school education if you do not have post-high school training or if you attended a prestigious school.
4. Experience: Begin with your most recent job. List employer's name and location, dates of employment, and position or title held. Include internships and part-time, summer, volunteer, and self employment. Experience may also include political and community service activities. Describe major duties concisely using action words and simple English. Highlight specific accomplishments and results such as problems solved and improvements. Emphasize tasks, skills, and specific experiences that are required in the job for which you are applying. Include use of computers, special tools, and responsibilities. Include facts or figures. If you held a supervisory position, give the number of employees you supervised. List community service/volunteer work and internships that provided related experience. Be specific and honest about your job duties and skills. If you do not have any real achievements, describing your goals and willingness to work hard in the cover letter can be helpful.
5. Other: List your important achievements, honors, awards, scholarships, publications, hobbies, knowledge of a second language, technical skills, licenses, and significant extracurricular activities that are related to work and make you stand out from other applicants. Academic, professional, or community organizations in which you are an officer or a member may also be listed.
6. References: If your references are well-known in the industry, you may list their names. (Be sure to have their permission.) Otherwise, you may delete this section from your resume or state "references will be provided upon request." This will give you control in choosing the references for specific employers. However, be sure to prepare a separate sheet to use when references are requested.
Be sure your resume is clear, complete, concise, up-to-date, and factual. A resume should look sharp and attractive and reflect an orderly mind. Center or justify headings and avoid abbreviations. Check for correct and consistent spelling, punctuation, and grammar. Type your resume neatly and error-free on white or lightly colored paper. Having it done on a computer will allow you to easily save it and change it later. Use bold or italics to highlight areas of your resume. A brief, well-written resume takes time to prepare. Have someone review your resume before duplicating or sending it out to be sure that the information is easy to understand and free of errors. If it is duplicated, be sure the copies are clear, dark, and free of smudges. Books on resume-writing are available at the public library and at bookstores.