Writing a Resume -Art of Writing [ 7 ]

7- ] Art of Writing .

Writing A Résumé .

As you enter the job market , sooner or later you will need a résumé . A résumé is a combination of carefully selected information about you , presented as concisely and neatly as possible , with the goal of convincing an employer to invite you for an interview .

To write an effective résumé , think about how it will be used . Employers may receive hundreds , even thousands of résumés . The human resources department , sometimes just one person has to eliminate most of the résumés and choose a few promising people to interview . On the first pass , this person may spend less than twenty seconds scanning each résumé .

What kinds of résumé get eliminated immediately ?

1-] The messy ones .  Some people submit résumé that are hand-written or coated with correction fluid . Type your on a typewriter or use a personal computer . If you spot a mistake , type or print your résumé again .

2-] The long ones .

One page offers enough space to describe your accomplishments . After you have been working for ten or more years , you might need two pages .

3-] The ones that are hard to read .

Narrow margins , tiny printing and no white space discourage the résumé reader and often lead to rejection .

4-] The flashy ones .

Unless you are applying to be a model or a performer , do not include a picture of yourself . Neon-colored paper or “ cute” graphics will get noticed , but they will not usually get you an interview .

Example Résumé .

Full Name :

Birthday :

Address :

Phone :                                                    Mobile :

E-mail :

Objective : To obtain a position as …………

Qualification Summary :

Gained knowledge and skills as a …… and as ……during the past …years .

Certified [ Translator ] :

Experience :

From 2001 – 2004

From 2004 – 2009

Education :

References Available :

Do I have to include an objective ?

An objective is often used to indicate the kind f job you are seeking . Prospective employers will look for résumés from people who have a clearer idea of the job they want .

You might start your résumé by simply naming your career field , or you could write a qualification summary . This short section at the beginning of your résumé sums up what you offer in several bullet points . Here you can point out your strengths , including those you developed as a volunteer without tying them directly to a job you held . A qualification summary can highlight the skills you have , even though you might not have much employment experience .

Should I put my education or my work experience next ?

If you have taken courses that will help you on the job , you are applying for , put your education first and list those courses . If you have some work experience in the field in which you are applying , put your employment history first .

How can I best describe my work experience ?

Start with the job you have now or your most recent job and work backwards . Include the employer , its place , your job title and the duties you worked there . Make it easy for the reader to see at a glance where you have worked and what you did there .

Under each position do not just list the responsibilities anyone would have in that job . Explain what you did that made you a valuable employee . For example , if you work for a fast-food restaurant , the reader can guess that you take orders and cook burger . Instead , name any promotion or awards you have received . Do you supervise other workers ? Are you responsible for opening or closing the restaurant ? Mention any skills or knowledge you have gained that will help you do the job for which you are applying .

Should I explain why I quit a job ?

 No! Leave that for the interview and do not bring it up then , unless the interviewer asks .

Should I include my volunteer experience , hobbies or interests ?

No – if they are common and likely to appear on many of the résumés the employer receives . Yes – if they have helped prepare you for the new job or they show that you are a well-rounded person who contributes to the community . You can combine paid and unpaid work under a heading such as “ Experience”; you can include hobbies and interests under the heading

“Personal”.

Can I exaggerate a little ?

No! If you did not do something significant . For example , if you did not increase the sales where you work all by yourself , do not claim credit for it . Instead , you could say “ significantly contributed to a …% in sales”. If you do not actually supervise the other people on your team , do not say you do . Truth has a way of coming out , especially during job interviews . Exaggeration can cost you a job .

Should I list references on my résumé ?

You an , if you are sure they will help you make a good impression on the employer . Alternatively , you can take a list of references with you to your interview . In any case , make sure you ask your references a head of time for permission to list their names .

As you write your résumé , select information about your experience , education and skills that will convince the résumé reader to call you to set up an interview .