How to Write Resumes for Technical Jobs

Writing resumes can be difficult, even when you have loads of experience, and especially if you have a technical job. It can be challenging to catalog and present experience gained from a technical job, but once you have a good working resume, you can revise it and use it for a lifetime.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Blank white paper or resume paper
• List of dates of previous employment

1. Gather data. If this is your first resume, begin by jotting down your last three to four jobs, including job responsibilities, job titles, company names and dates you were employed. Also write down the details for any formal education you may have had. Do not include high school unless this is the highest level of education you have achieved. If you have a degree that is more advanced than a high school diploma, include the details of your degree, whether it be an associate, bachelor's, master's or doctorate. In addition to employment and education, think of any work skills you have, special assignments or projects you have completed or certifications or licenses you hold. Once you have assembled this information, you must categorize it.

2. Format your resume. Formal resumes have been around for decades, so don't spend time reinventing the wheel. Look for sample resumes in your career field and model yours after theirs. Many good examples of these can be found online. It is important that you try to find a sample that is similar to your career path. For example, a hair dresser's resume will look much different from an aircraft mechanic's resume. There is no generic format that fits all jobs.

3. Get technical. Technical resumes may differ from traditional resumes in that they are more focused on specific training or certifications that are directly relevant or required for the job. Medical-related job seekers should list appropriate licenses, architects should list specific projects and pilots should provide current ratings held--all of these should include the dates that these were achieved. List any additional relevant special training you may have had as well.

4. Edit. Even a resume with solid, impressive content can be easily ignored due to grammatical or spelling errors. The best way to eliminate these errors is to first use a computerized spelling and grammar check. Then have a friend, teacher or colleague proofread it for errors. Finally, read it aloud to catch any missing words or to fix awkward word patterns. The resume must also be formatted to present a smooth flow of information. Font should be basic and easy to read, wording should be concise and direct and all dates should be presented the same way throughout the document. If you spell out the name of a month once, you must do it throughout the entire document for consistency.

5. Personalize your resume. For a more direct approach to job searching, find the name of the company whose job position you are applying for, and also find the exact wording of the job title, such as "Assistant Web Content Developer." Then, in the objective line, insert the company's name and the job title. List the full company's name, including extras such as Inc., Co. or Ltd. Do not abbreviate.

6. Follow these tips to streamline your resume, and you'll be ahead of the pack in your job search. Good Luck!

Tips & Warnings

• Research the company you wish to work for. Find out which skills or qualities they are looking for in a candidate and showcase these in your resume.
• If you personalize your resume to include a specific company's name, be sure to check your final printed copies when applying at different places to ensure the correct name is listed.