Resume writing tips

• What is a resume?
• What do resumes do?
• How to write a good resume?
• Dos & Don’t
• What format should a resume follow?

What is a resume?
A resume is a selected summary of significant facts about yourself. A resume doesn't present everything there is to be known about you. It presents selected significant facts and it serves them up in a neatly packaged summary. To write a resume, you need to know which facts about yourself are significant to a prospective employer. You need to know how to summarise them so that your next employer can see quickly why you are the right person for the job. And you need to know how to present them on paper in a concise manner.

What do resumes do?
Strictly speaking, resumes don't get jobs. Resumes get interviews. And interviews get jobs. You won't get an interview without a resume. And you won't get a job offer without an interview. But the resume is the first step to a job.

How to write a good resume?
Before you start writing your resume, it is essential that you have before you a complete and detailed summary of your education and experience. You should be aware of your aptitudes, abilities, strengths, and weaknesses, as well as interests.

Plan for at least a week and you may have to do several re-writes before your resume will be ready

Remember that you are competing with others with your resume. It is worth an effort to produce the best version you can.

Seek the opinions of others about your merits for what you have in mind

If you are too modest in describing your attributes, your application may be passed over. It is the time to boast politely and honestly

Ask at least two people to check over your final draft.

When you think you have produced the best version, be patient. Sleep on it. Read it again the next day before submitting it.

Dos & Don’t
DO!

Highlight your strengths
You probably know the saying "If you've it, flaunt it." This is certainly true on your resume. Your prospective employer should be able to see quickly what you have to offer.

Structure your resume like a pyramid
The most important things about you should be near the top. There is no formula that you have to follow in assembling the component parts of your resume, but you should start with your best features.

Be sure your resume is easy to read
If your resume is jammed with words, difficult to follow, or badly laid out on the page, no one is going to take the time to read it - even if you are a great job candidate.

Keep your sentences short
Start as many as you can with "action words"

Help your readers know what to read
Use boldface type. Use plenty of "white space" between points to make each point stand out.

Support your objective
If you have a career objective, be sure that your resume shows clearly why you are qualified for the job you are seeking.

Keep your resume to one or two pages
Most employers don't want to read more than two pages. They will read more if you are an incredibly experienced person with terrific credentials, but two-page resumes are safe.

Answer the one question that every employer asks.
Your resume must address the question that is in the employer's mind: "What can this person do for me?" If your resume can answer that question, you can get an interview - and an interview can land you a job.

DON'T!

Don't lie.
You can never make a lie work in your favour. Don't stretch the truth too far either - it will break!

Don't write long sentences
Remember that your resume will be read quickly so make it readable.

Don't put more than four lines together in one "block"
If you have more than four short lines, you are probably trying to say too much. Divide a long block of text into two points.

Don't be vague
Be as specific as possible. Include facts and figures wherever you can.

Don't include information that is not relevant to an employer
There is a good rule to follow in evaluating whether or not something is relevant: "If in doubt, leave it out."

Don't list a reference unless you have the person's permission
Of course, it's important too to know that you will get a positive recommendation!

What format should a resume follow?
Not sure how a resume should be structured? Click here for a suggested format.