Resume Guidelines for a Better Presentation

Why is it important to be creative when making my resume? The resume is a visually enticing work of art. It must be a simple clean structure. Very easy for the reader to follow and understand. It must also be balanced, symmetrical, and un-crowded. There needs to be as much white space between sections of writing as possible. These sections of writing should be no longer than six lines, and shorter if possible. There is consistency and uniformity in the use of italics, bullets, capital letters, boldface, and underlining. For example, if a period is at the end of one job's dates, a period should be at the end of all the jobs' dates you intend to list. If you choose to boldface one degree, all degrees should be in boldface.

Why it is important to be error free?

As mentioned above, the resume's first impression is most important of all. It should be visually appealing and inviting to the reader. Remember to always think of your resume as an advertisement.

There should NEVER be any errors. This includes any typographical, spelling, grammar, or punctuation errors. And there should never be any errors of fact.

What should I include in my resume?

A resume must include all the basic and expected information. It is vital for your resume to have the following key information: your name, address, phone number, and your email address at the top of the first page. It also must contain a listing of jobs held in reverse chronological order. Also any educational degrees including the highest degree received, in reverse chronological order. Additional, targeted information will accompany this. Much of the information people commonly put on a resume can be moved around, or even absent. But these basics are absolutely mandatory.

Jobs listed must include a title, the name of the firm, the city and state of the firm, and the years at the firm. Jobs earlier in a career can be summarized, or even omitted if prior to the highest degree, and extra part-time jobs can be omitted unless work experience is very limited. If no educational degrees have been completed, it is still expected to include some mention of education.

Do I list my Strengths?

Strengths need to be highlighted, and weaknesses de-emphasized. Focus on whatever is strongest and most impressive about your career. Make careful and strategic choices as to how to organize, and convey your skills and background. Always consider whether to include certain information at all. Placement in overall structure of the resume, and location on the page itself or within a section is very important.

What should my focus be while writing my resume?

A resume must have focus. A resume needs an initial focus to help the reader understand immediately; this always starting with the “attention grabber” towards the top of the page. It is never good to make the reader go through the whole resume to figure out what your profession is and what you can do. An initial focus may be as simple as the name of your profession ("Commercial Loan Consultant," "Cosmetologist") centered under the name and address; it may be in the form of an Objective; it may be in the form of a Summary Statement. But even better, try a Summary Statement beginning with a phrase identifying your profession.

Don’t forget to use POWER words. For every accomplishment, skill, or job described, use the most active impressive verb you can think of. Begin the sentence with this verb, except when you must vary the sentence structure to avoid repetitious writing which can possibly confuse or even eventually lose the readers interest.

Do I show I am result oriented in my resume?

Show you are results-oriented. Wherever possible, prove that you have the desired qualifications through clear strong statement of accomplishments, rather than a statement of talents, potentials, or responsibilities. Indicate results of work done, and amplify these accomplishments whenever appropriate. For example: "Initiated and directed complete automation of the Human Resources Department, resulting in time-cost savings of over 35%." The reader is usually very intrigued with personal accomplishments of this sort.

How long should my resume be?

Keep your writing concise and to the point. Keep your sentences as short and direct as possible. Eliminate any irrelevant information and any repetitions. Don't use three examples when one will be enough. Say what you want to say in the most direct way possible; there is no need to impress with bigger words or more complex sentences. For example: "coordinated six city-wide fund-raising events, raising 275% more than expected goal" rather than "was involved in the coordination of three fund- raising dinners and three fund-raising walkathons which attracted participants throughout San Francisco and were so extremely successful that they raised $8,000 (well beyond the $4,000 goal)."

How can I show Im proud to write my resume?

Be proud of your resume and make it look great. It is best to use a laser printer or an ink jet printer that produces high- quality results. A laser is best because the ink won't run if the document gets wet. Use a standard conservative font in 11 or 12 point. Never make the employer squint to read it. If possible, use off-white, ivory or bright white 8 1/2 x 11-inch paper, in the highest quality affordable. If you are applying for a senior-level position, it is important to use Crane's 100% rag paper and make sure the water-mark is facing the right way. Always use absolutely clean paper without smudges, without staples, and with a generous border. Never have your resume looking like you squeezed too much on the page.

Can my resume be too long?

A shorter resume is usually better. Everyone gives advice on resume length. Most of these individuals say a resume should always be one page. That makes no more sense than it does to say an advertisement or a poem should automatically be one page. Your resume can be 300 pages long if you can keep the reader's undivided attention and interest that long, and at the same time create a psychological excitement and enthusiasm that leads prospective employers to pick up the phone and call you when they finish your masterpiece. There is no need to blindly follow the rules, do what works.

Sometimes it may be appropriate to have a three page resume. But unless your life has been filled with a wide assortment of extraordinary achievements, you should intend to make it shorter. One page is best if it is possible for you to cram it all into one page. Most of the Fortune 500 C.E.O.s have a one- or two-page resume. Look to others in your profession to see if there is a so called, “established agreement” about resume length in your field. Another useful rule is to not write one more word than you need to get them to pick up the phone and call you. Don't bore them with inappropriate details. Always leave the reader wanting more. Remember, this is an advertisement to market you, not your life history.

What verb tense should I use?

Be careful about your verb tense. Use either the first person ("I") or the third person (''he," "she") point of view, but use whichever you choose consistently throughout. Verb tenses are based on accurate reporting of your career: If the accomplishment is completed, it should be past tense. If the task is still underway, it should then be present tense. If the skill has been used in the past and will continue to be used, then it is good to use present tense ("conduct presentations on member recruitment to professional associations"). A way of "smoothing out" these transitions is to use the past continuous ("have conducted more than 20 presentations...").

It is usually good to have “experience” before “education”. Experience sections should come first before education in most every case. This is because you usually would have more qualifications developed from your experience than from your education. There are several exceptions: If you have just received or are completing a degree in a new professional field, and if this new degree study proves stronger qualifications than does your work experience. Another is if you are a lawyer, with the peculiar professional tradition of listing your law degrees first. And last, if you have just completed a particularly impressive degree from a particularly impressive school, even if you are staying in the same field, for example, an MBA from Stanford.

What is a good contat number to list?

Using accuracy and honesty by not stretching the truth.

Make sure that you can always back up what you say. Keep the claims you make reasonable and within the range of your own integrity. There is nothing wrong with “spicing” certain things in your resume so you communicate who you are and what you can do at your very best. Did you ever see an ad or campaign that didn't pump up the features they hope will convince you to buy? Sure, you can convey a careful, balanced portrayal of yourself. But your true intention is knock their socks off!