How to Type Your First Résumé
Typing your first resume may be an intimidating prospect. Before you start typing, jot down some notes about your previous jobs, volunteer work and education. Gathering all the necessary information first may help you avoid writer's block. When writing your resume, try to keep it to just one typed page. If your writing spills over to a second page, review all the information and omit any unnecessary words. As you describe your accomplishments, keep your tone positive. Tailor each resume to skills and accomplishments that may appeal to each particular company and position for which you apply.
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Instructions
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Type your name at the top of the page, centered and in bold type. If you usually use a nickname, consider using your full name instead. For example, rather than typing “Petey,” instead type “Peter.”
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Type your address and phone number underneath your name, centered, but not in bold type. Add your email address underneath this, if desired. You may wish to set up a separate email account that sounds more professional. For example, instead of using an email address listed as sillyjellybeans@company.com, use an email address that incorporates your name and sounds more formal.
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Label the first section of your resume “Education.” Underline this and place it in bold type. Use bullet-format to list the schools you have attended. Add the location of the school after its name. Tab over a few spaces to the right of each school and list the years you attended each school. If you earned a degree from the schools listed, include the name of the degree and your study focus area.
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List major academic accomplishments under each appropriate school. For example, if you were in an honor society or received a special award, write the name of that award or society under the school's name. If you achieved a high GPA, you may wish to add this information as well.
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List academic accomplishments in a separate section beneath “Education.” Label this section “Academic Achievements.” In this section, describe any major academic accomplishments in as few words as possible, in a bullet-format. CareerRookie recommends avoiding listing specific classes, but focusing on specific projects instead. If you took an independent study course and wrote a major paper, highlight this achievement.
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Create a separate section for “Work Experience.” In a bulleted list, name the company you worked for and the job title you had. Tab over a few spaces and type the dates you worked at each job. (For example, Sept. 2003 to Jan. 2004.) Underneath each job, briefly write how you benefited your employer, as recommended by CareerRookie. For example, instead of just writing “Filed documents,” write “Created a more efficient filing system.”
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Create separate sections for “Internships” and “Volunteer Positions,” if these apply to you. Follow the same format you used in your “Work Experience” section to add the dates and companies. Underneath each position, type in as few words as possible how you benefited each company or organization.
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Create a “Skills” section in bullet-format if you have special skills that may appeal to your potential employer. For example, if you are fluent in a foreign language, type this here. If the job you are trying to land requires computer skills, type in the programs you are proficient in or if you can use HTML. If your resume is already a page long and you do not have special skills that may appeal to a particular employer, you may choose to omit this section.
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Type the words "References available upon request" underneath your last section. Separate this from the last section by a double-space. However, do not include a note about references if you are unable to provide them. Bring a typed sheet of references to your job interview, but only offer it to the interviewer upon request. List the name, title, company, address and phone number for each of your references.
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Tips & Warnings
If you are a college student, living away from your permanent residence, type your campus address on the left-hand side of the page and your permanent address to the right-hand side. Above each address, underline the labels “Temporary Address” and “Permanent Address,” respectively. List your phone number and email address directly under your name, above the addresses.
Always ask people if they are willing to provide a reference for you before you list them on your references page. Request references from teachers or supervisors, rather than friends and family.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit typing image by DXfoto.com from Fotolia.com
