Quick Tips on Writing a Resume

If the thought of writing a resume makes your blood pressure rise you are not alone. Your time is precious and you know that a poorly written resume is not worth the paper that it’s written on, so some level of anxiety is to be expected. The good news is there are plenty of resources at your local library, bookstores, as well as on the web that will assist you in this process. Here are some tips that I pulled from various sources that helped me when I wrote my resume.

Tailor your resume to fit the job you are applying for
It seems obvious, but you would be surprised to see how many people turn in the same generic resume for every job that they apply for. Read the job posting carefully it tells you exactly what the employer is looking for; your job is to highlight your relevant skills that mirror the ones in the posting. If you take the time to write down all of your accomplishments beforehand, it will be easier to match them up when you sit down to construct your resume.

Keep it short and sweet
A resume is not meant to be your autobiography, it is meant to get you an interview by introducing you to your potential employer. In most cases you should be able to fit your resume on a single page; it should highlight your most relevant credentials. Prospective employers aren’t interested in everything you have ever done just the things that qualify you for the position that they are attempting to fill.

Use short concise phrases
Your resume should not read like a book with long wordy paragraphs. Remember human recourses are purging through hundreds of resumes each day, they are limited on time. If you use a bulleted sentences with key words that stand out you are more likely to get your resume read, and your point across.

Proofread then proofread again and again
Nothing will get your resume thrown in the trash faster than typos, so it is imperative that you take the time to proofread. Never write your resume and proofread it in the same sitting. Write your resume than come back to it later and proofread it when your mind is fresh. Once you feel that you have gotten it perfect, walk away from it and come back later to proofread it again, if you find any mistakes repeat the process a third time. Finally, give it to somebody else to proofread for you.