Resume Tips from the e-Recruiter.biz

Ideally, your resume should be written to help you be considered for a specific job title. Here is a resume building process for you to follow. What is a resume?

1. What should a good resume accomplish?
2. What are the essential parts of a resume?
3. What is a job objective and why is it important?
4. What should not be included in a resume?
5. What else do I need to know about resumes?
6. How do I build a resume?

What is a resume?

A resume is a "sales brochure" about you. It describes your abilities, your experience (paid and/or unpaid) and your education, all of which should support your job objective.

What should a good resume accomplish?

It should get you an interview - it will not get you the job!

What are the essential parts of a resume?

1. Your name
2. Your apress (local)
3. Your telephone number (day and evening)
4. Your email apress (not at your current job)
5. Your job objective
6. Work experience which supports the job objective
7. Educational background

What is a job objective and why is it important?

On the resume, the job objective is a statement of what you want to do and the level at which you want to do it. This statement should be clear and concise. Use this specific language to describe your job objective. The closer you can get to the "job title" of the job you wish to occupy, the better your success in finding it will be.

What should not be included in a resume?

Personal data such as height, weight, age, marital status, hobbies, or your photograph. Exceptions: Mention hobbies if they relate to the job you are seeking. If you are young and seeking a trainee position, mentioning your age may be to your advantage.

What else do I need to know about resumes?

1. Resumes often get less than one minute of an employer's time - make that time count for you.
2. Keep to the essentials.
3. Be clear, concise, accurate, and readable.
4. The length should be one page - two pages at most.
5. Use good quality paper. An off-white or buff-colored paper is desirable.
6. Check for typing accuracy, spelling errors and grammar usage.
7. If mailing a resume, include a cover letter.
8. Do not use "jargon" unique to your field but incomprehensible to others (unless you are staying in your field).

How do I build a resume?

1. Set up a worksheet. Divide a page into seven columns. The following are suggested column headings:
1. Position
2. Starting / ending job dates
3. Name of Organization
4. Tasks I performed
5. Skills I developed
6. Tasks / Skills I liked best
7. Tasks / Skills I liked least

1. When you have done this for each job, a pattern may begin to emerge that will help you develop a job objective.
2. Develop a clear and concise job objective that states exactly what it is you wish to be employed doing and at what level. The following (stated as job titles) are examples:
1. Product Marketing Manager
2. Junior Accountant
3. Entry-level Secretary
4. Advertising Account Executive
5. Design Engineer for hydraulic presses and equipment
6. Circuit Design Engineer
3. Translate language to fit target industry. When changing industries or fields, it is necessary to translate your background and experience for the mindset of your audience who will read it. Therefore rephrase or reformat what you did so that it communicates the relevant experience for what you want to do.

Remember, the resume reflects you and your abilities! It is not an autobiography - it should include only information that supports your job objective.