How to Write a Resume for Various Job Titles

You may want to sketch out your resume with pen and paper, but the final product must be typed.

A resume is the first step to a new job. It must be well worded and focused, attracting the employer through experience and skills. If applying for multiple jobs, a generic resume can be created to exemplify your talents by expressing work ethic and ability.

Instructions

The Perfect Resume

1. Begin your resume with an objective or mission statement. The first thing read by the employer, it should market your skills and grab their attention. When applying for multiple jobs, it is imperative that it expresses your strengths and goals without limiting job options. Remember to omit the first pronoun (I) and keep it short. It serves as a lead in to your resume, not its first paragraph.

2. Feature your experience. Use previous/current jobs to market your qualifications for the position. Keep statements concise and try to use action verbs when describing your position. Directed, taught, led and created are popular verbs because they inject strength and importance into your role.

3. Tout knowledge of computer programs, customer relations, graphic design, words per minute and other qualities. Try not to repeat what has been previously stated in the experience section. Although those statements are important, repeating them signals a lack of diversity and narrows the scope of your abilities.

4. 

   Include achievements such as degrees in your resume.

   Broadcast achievements to draw the attention of your prospective employer. Things like college degrees, certifications and awards will highlight your willingness to work and determination to succeed. Publications are also important, but be careful what you mention. Writings display knowledge of grammar, spelling and communication. So, if your skills are not up to par it's best to keep your works under wraps. Also, if your works are specialized in defamatory subjects like race, sexual relations or politics, keep it to yourself. Even if the prospective employer is interested, it’s best to wait until hired.

5. Include extracurricular activities. This will give the employer insight into your personality and interests. List talents that tie you to the community or current/previous jobs. Volunteer work, church activities, ROTC or programs such as Aids Awareness and Greenpeace display involvement and may connect to the employer.

6. Review all information before applying. Make sure your skill section is not generic and display all your work-related abilities. If possible, add references, but alert your references of their inclusion. This gives them time to prepare statements and evaluate your strengths if contacted.

Tips & Warnings

• Keep your resume to one page.

• Use only black ink.

• Limit use of bold and italics.

References

• Objective Statement
• Resume Overview