Typing a resume these days has become very simple, especially if you have the write software. You can buy a cheap resume writing software for around $35, but you will most than likely get a very generic looking resume.
In order to type up a good resume you first need to know the basic components a resume is made up of.
These components are:
- Job Objective or Summary of Qualifications
- Experience
- Accomplishments
- Capabilities or Skills
- Education
You will usually use them in that order, but there are some situations where you may need to highlight your Skills before your work experience. This brings me to the next step of typing a resume, The Formatting…Choosing the right formatting will highlight your best assets to the employer.
Here are the Two that you really need to know:
- Chronological
- Functional
Chronological formatting is the most common and is obviously the best to use if you have had no big gaps in your work history and you’ll list your work experience from most recent to so on. Also if you’ve been steadily moving up the same profession path during your career, this format will suit you.
Functional formatting is good to use if you are changing careers or have had setbacks in your working profession. The reason for this is because you’ll list your accomplishments before your employment history. By highlighting your skills first, you are sort of drawing attention away from your lack of experience and more towards you abilities.
Ok, now that you know what makes up a resume and have chosen the best formatting for your resume, now you can start writing. A tool I like to use is a 19 question questionnaire that helps me break down the information I will need for my resume.
Here are the Questions.
1. State your name, mailing address, permanent address,
and the phone numbers, fax numbers, and/or email
addresses where employers can contact you. If relevant,
please include your website address.
2. What is the purpose of your resume (i.e. a position with
a different employer, or a different position with the
same employer)?
3. What specific position are you seeking?
4. Are you switching jobs, or re-entering the workforce?
5. Have you had progressive professional growth
throughout your career?
6. Have you had any jobs previous to your current one, or
has this been your only employer?
7. What would you say is stronger, your skills and
accomplishments or your work experience?
8. Are you willing to relocate? If so, how far are you willing
to move? Would you be willing to take a position in a
different country?
9. Are there any special circumstances which might affect
your resume (e.g. being fired, gaps in employment,
major career change, criminal record, immigration
issues/eligibility to work)?
10. What positions have you held? For each position state a)
the dates you held the position, b) the specific tasks you
accomplished, c) whether these tasks support the job
you’re currently seeking.
11. For each task or accomplishment, state what words best
describe the work you did. Did you “manage,” “develop,”
“author,” “negotiate,” or “conceptualize”?
12. For each previous job held, state how you contributed to
the success of your company or department. Please use
specific numbers or percentages.
13. What is the highest level of education that you reached?
At what school(s) did you receive your diploma(s),
and what were your majors? Also, what year(s) did
you graduate?
14. List any academic awards or honors. If applicable,
state the topic or title of your Master’s thesis or doctoral
dissertation. Also, list any professional licenses or
certificates you hold.
15. What special skills could you offer companies that
apply to the position you’re seeking? Proficiency in
certain computer languages or programs, pilot’s license,
internet experience, artistic talent, foreign languages or
shorthand experience.
16. Non-work experience. What professional associations
do you belong to? What positions have you held in these
groups? If you are a recent graduate, what organizations
were you involved with while in college? What significant
volunteer work have you done?
17. Have you ever been published? List titles of works, and
where they were published.
18. Why are you the very best candidate for this position
(please be specific)?
19. Why should you be hired over all the other applicants
(again, the more specific, the better…what truly sets
you apart)?
Once you have answered the questions, the rest is a piece of cake.
With the questions you’ve answered, there is nothing left then to fit them into the components we have discussed earlier. Once you’ve have done so, you have just created a one of a kind resume and should get ready to blow any employer out of the water.
In Summary
Once you know what a resume consist of, then you know what kind of formatting there is. Then when you fill out the free questionnaire, the rest is just putting the puzzle together. If you would like to see an example of a resume I have written or need further help in writing a resume, head on over to shibaresumes.com [http://www.shibaresumes.com] and I would be more than happy to help. You can also post you resume for FREE.
Good luck in your Job search and writing.
How to Type a Resume
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