Preparing to Write Your Resume

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Get organized! Before beginning to write your resume:

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Resume Tips

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• Make your resume short (one page, if possible, two pages at most).
• Use white or ivory paper.
• Type your resume on a computer, when possible.
• Use action words to describe your work skills. (See "Action Words" below.)
• Stress skills, knowledge, and abilities that fulfill the job requirements.
• Be specific about accomplishments, but do not stretch the truth.
• Provide information about career goals.
• Make it attractive.
• Emphasize most recent jobs.
• Proofread it for grammar, punctuation and spelling errors.
• If possible, have someone else check your resume for errors.
• Save references and personal data for the interview.
• Avoid date of birth.
• Avoid salaries or the reason for leaving the last job.
• Ask yourself "Would I interview this person?"
• Keep your resume current.
• Finally, prepare a cover letter to introduce your resume. (See "Cover Letter" below.)

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Resume Types

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When preparing to write your resume, it is very important to select the type of resume that best suits your past work history, and presents your experience and skills in the best light.

Review the resume types listed below to choose the resume type that will work the best for you.

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Chronological Resume

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• A chronological resume lists your most recent job duties and employment dates first. This type of resume tends to be fact-based and may be easily skimmed. It works for those with experience and a steady job history. It is difficult for career changers and those who lack on-the-job experience.
• Employers tend to prefer a chronological resume because it is easier to read and review the work history dates and work experience. However, this resume type displays flaws more easily, such as employment gaps.

Functional Resume

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A functional resume focuses on skills, experience, and accomplishments. A functional resume works best for the following conditions:

• Your work history is not related to the job
• Your related experience is not your most recent job
• You have gaps in your work history
• You have not worked recently
• You are just entering the job market

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In a functional resume you are advertising your specific qualifications, not the order in which you obtained them. Functional resumes let you emphasize volunteer or civic experience, training, or education.

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The functional resume is not usually the favorite resume type among employers, as it is a little more difficult to read. The work history and career paths are not as clear. However, it is important to select the resume type that displays your special qualities to the best advantage.

Automated Resume (Keyword, or Scannable)

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An automated, keyword, or scannable resume is formatted to read well when scanned by a computer system. The resume is scanned and entered in a database that can then be searched by keywords so that the applicant's qualifications are matched with the employer's needs. (Keywords describe skills that are commonly used in the career field.) Generally, it is the larger employers (with 100 or more employees) who scan resumes to retain information in databases for future use.

Cover Letter

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A cover letter is a short introduction letter that accompanies your resume. The cover letter should persuade the employer to read your resume. It is especially important to use a cover letter when mailing a resume to an employer.

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Resume Action Words

When writing a resume it is a good idea to describe your skills and responsibilities with action words. Write up your skills in brief bulleted lists that begin with action words that emphasize your strong points.

The following list provides a small sampling of common action words to get you started:

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