Creating a Resume
You're trying your best to be noticed by a company, and sometimes that means gathering and sending information and simply waiting to hear back from someone.
With such a small window of opportunity to make a good impression, what steps can you take to stick out from the crowd?
A resume functions as a concise, powerful advertisement for the job applicant. It's a chance for the prospective employee to speak directly to a hiring agent about an available position. A resume is often a way for a job seeker to get her foot in the door, and is often the single opportunity to win a meeting with the employer.
Because resumes are business oriented, following a precise, standard format when constructing them can speak volumes about a candidate's ability to follow simple protocol. Resumes should be carefully formatted for consistency in design and content and should appear clean and direct.
There are several templates available online in a range of styles. The different templates vary by emphasizing different personal strengths or aspects of the candidate's career history. Generally speaking, most resumes should be limited to one page in length and should include information describing the following about a potential job candidate:
- Formal Name
- Contact Information (Mailing Address, Phone Number, Email Address)
- Statement of Purpose
- Work History
- Educational History
- Awards/Honors
- Computer Skills
When building your resume, highlight your own personal strengths. Don't feel compelled to include all of the topics described above; instead, you should tailor your resume to fit the specific position you hope to fill. If the position has a heavy focus on technology, you may want to describe your computer skills in depth. On the other hand, if your desired position requires many years of prior experience, you may wish to focus largely on your work history. The format is up to you – just be sure to include your name and contact information at the top of the page to make it easy for the employer to contact you.
Submitting e-Friendly Resumes
More and more employers are accepting applications and resumes online only. If you elect to apply to one of these positions, treat the online application as if you were filling out a hard copy in their offices. Also, make sure that you submit your resume in the appropriate digital format. Hiring employers generally don't forgive mistakes that make your information illegible. When possible, find a contact for the position and mail that person a hard copy of your resume and cover letter as well. If anything, this extra effort will demonstrate your eagerness to the hiring representative.
