How to Write a Vitae or Resume
A vitae or resume is your first introduction to a potential employer. It's important to catch his attention and make him want to call you for an interview by writing an effective resume. It's essential, especially in a competitive job market, to stand out from the hundreds of resumes employers get. Learn how to write a resume to get one step closer to the job you want.
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Instructions
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Decide which format you want to use. A chronological resume lists your jobs starting with your current or most recent job. Choose this format if you do not have large gaps between jobs. A functional resume focuses on your skills and accomplishments rather than on job descriptions. A combined resume is a mixture of the chronological and functional formats.
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Format your resume in a word-processing program. Ensure your first and last name, mailing address, email address and phone number are at the top of the page. Include your name and the page number on the second page. Don't use a nickname, and make sure your email address is professional. For example, use "johnsmith" or "jsmith" rather than "surferdude99."
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Specify in one sentence the position you want, why you are right for the position and what you can do for the company. Refer to the job posting, and make this objective statement specific to the job you're applying for, such as, "A customer service position where excellent communication and negotiation skills are needed."
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Show the potential employer that you are capable and have contributed to the companies you worked for by listing your top skills and achievements in three or four sentences. Don't be modest, but don't exaggerate your accomplishments, either.
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Choose strong action words to describe what you did at your jobs and how you benefited your companies. When possible, include relevant dollar amounts, percentages and other numbers, such as, "Increased sales by 20 percent" or "Saved the department $10,000." This information shows the potential employer what you can do for her company. Consult a detailed thesaurus when compiling this information.
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List your education, including the name of the institution, its location, the year you graduated and any awards you received. If you don't have a lot of job experience, put your education before your experience.
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Incorporate keywords specific to your industry and that you see in job postings. For example, if you are applying for a sales job, use such keywords as "sales," "customer," "quota" and "accounts." Employers often use machines to scan resumes. If your resume doesn't have the appropriate keywords, it might end up in the garbage before human eyes read it. Put keywords in your Summary section, as that is one of the first sections the potential employer will read. You can also sprinkle them throughout your resume.
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Tips & Warnings
Proofread and have someone else look your resume before you send it.
Keep your fonts, boldface and italics consistent.
Find out which resume format is popular in your industry, and model yours accordingly.
Leave lots of white space in your resume to make it easier to read.
References
- "The Resume Handbook: How to Write Outstanding Resumes and Cover Letters for Every Situation, 5th Edition"; Arthur D. Rosenberg; 2008
- "Knock 'Em Dead Resumes: Smart Advice to Make Your Online and Paper Resumes More Productive, 8th Edition"; Martine Yate, C.P.C.; 2008
- Rockport Institute: How to Write a Masterpiece of a Resume
