Tips to Create a Strong Résumé
Create a Strong Résumé
An effective résumé is a self-marketing tool. There are a number of résumé styles, including those called "functional," "achievement" and "chronological." There's no right or wrong way to create a résumé, and I recommend a hybrid combining the best features of each type. In this hybrid, you clearly state your skills, experience and accomplishments as they apply to the job you want. It should be concise and focused. Having a generic résumé on hand that you can shoot out to a multitude of potential employers may sound good, but failing to be specific about the job you want may cause them to think you're unsure about what you want to do. Follow the tips below to build a successful résumé:- Include job objective, highlights of qualifications, relevant skills and experience, work history, and education and training.
- Begin with objective, qualifications and skills; follow with work history and education.
- Exclude detailed descriptions of nonrelevant earlier jobs (If you're going to be a copy editor, your cashier job in college probably isn't relevant.) and overly precise dates (Simply say "1984-89.")
- If you're not sure whether something should be included, leave it out.
- Omit personal information, such as age or marital status, not pertinent to the job.
- Quantify accomplishments whenever possible. (For example, say how many people you supervised, widgets you sold, news stories you wrote...)
- Take credit for your work. Even if it was a team effort, focus on your role.
- Avoid tiresome jargon, such as "interfaced" and "responsibilities included."
- Use simple words and get straight to the point.
- Use active verbs and be consistent with verb tenses.
- Describe your accomplishments; don't just list job descriptions.
- Keep your résumé to one page if possible.
- Have a reliable person proof your résumé for mistakes and inconsistencies.
Examples of Job Objectives
- Copy editor position with major newspaper chain
- Copy writer for East Coast advertising agency
- Entry level position with public relations firm
- Part-time broadcast job with agricultural news network
- Reporter for Midwest farm weekly
- Entry level sales/marketing position with agricultural chemical company
Examples of Highlights of Qualifications
- 12 years experience writing advertising copy
- Skilled at working in team environment
- Knowledge of photography, art and design
- Experienced with Microsoft Word, Quark XPress, Adobe PageMaker and Photoshop
Examples of Relevant Skills and Experience
- Researched and developed stories based on leads, general knowledge and creativity.
- Conducted interviews.
- Wrote and edited news, features and other types of copy for newspaper.
- Supervised two interns.
- Assigned work.
- Edited and critiqued copy.
- Oversaw layouts.
- Signed timecards.
- Organized biannual staff training programs.
- Designed page layouts weekly on Macintosh computer using Quark XPress. <./li>
- Planned feature layouts with photo/graphics editor.
- Coordinated photo assignments with staff photographers.
- Assigned photos, discussed ideas with photographer, selected photos for use with input from photographer.
