TIPS FOR WRITING A GREAT RÉSUMÉ

A résumé is short summary of your skills, accomplishments, experiences, and education. A résumé is used by employers to help decide if you are qualified for a particular job and whether they want to interview you. Therefore, the résumé is a crucial part of finding a job. Résumés can be difficult to write, and several drafts may be necessary to get the content and the look that will make your résumé marketable. An effective résumé is like a sales brochure of your experiences, one that is eye catching and clear to read.

• State your objective at the beginning of your résumé. The objective is a brief statement of the accomplishments and skills the employer will find in your résumé. An example of an objective would be “Position within a marketing firm requiring strong organizational and customer service skills”. 
• In addition to describing duties, be sure to mention what you accomplished at previous jobs or volunteer experiences. For instance, if you helped to organize an event, describe how many people you supervised, how many were in attendance, etc. 
• When discussing past experiences, be sure to focus on work or volunteer experience that can be related to the job in which you are seeking. For instance, if you have worked in many areas, such as restaurants, landscaping, offices, etc., but the job you are now looking for is office, focus on that more than the others in your résumé. 
• Sell yourself. The résumé is crucial in getting an interview. This is the time for you to boast (realistically, of course!) about your past accomplishments. 
• Present a visually appealing résumé. Keep the format the same throughout and be sure to use bolding or underlining to highlight key words or sections. Don’t squeeze too much information onto one page. Leave plenty of white space, in the margins and at the top and bottom of each page. 
• Be sure to include at least the following information on your résumé: 
• Name, address, and phone number. This should be displayed at the beginning of your résumé. After all, you want the employer to easily find how to get in touch with you. 
• Don’t include unnecessary information on your résumé, such as: 
• Your marital status, health, citizenship, age, scholarships, irrelevant awards, irrelevant associations and memberships, previous pay rates, previous supervisor names, reasons for leaving previous jobs, the year you graduated from school.
• List experiences in reverse chronological order. Begin with your most recent experiences and move backwards. Include information regarding the (1) title of your position, (2) name of company/organization, (3) Location- City and state, and (4) dates of employment. 
• Describe both your responsibilities and accomplishments. Emphasize your achievements and the skills needed to do the job. List the most important and related responsibilities first. 
• Education. Include any additional courses you have taken in relevant areas (such as computer classes, CPR if appropriate, etc.). 
• If appropriate to the job you are seeking, put an “Additional Information” section in your résumé that describes such things as computer knowledge (be specific in the programs you are familiar with and how fast you type) or outside activities that required much organization, responsibility, etc. 
• Prepare to have references to give to an employer at the interview. This list does not need to be part of your résumé, but should be typed on a separate sheet of paper to give to the employer should s/he ask for references. Include the names and phone numbers of at least three people the employer could call to find out about you. Be sure to include at least one person (and preferably more) who has worked with you and who will give positive information about your work habits and skills. Talk to those people in advance and ask if they would be willing to provide you with a reference. 
• Have someone else proofread your résumé. It’s absolutely essential to double check that you don’t have any spelling or grammar errors. Don’t rely on the computer spell/grammar checker to find your mistakes. Ask someone who pays attention to details and has the skills to give you feedback about your writing. 
• Type your résumé and print it on a laser printer using white paper.

Source: Arizona Parent and Educational Resource Center