Resume Writing Tips

Most employers now require resumes for almost every position. If you don't have a resume, or your resume isn't top-notch, you are less likely to get a job than someone who has a polished, professional resume.

Here are some tips to help you write a winning resume:

Include your contact information. At the top, center your name, address, and phone number.
Organize your resume using dates. List your most recent job first and work backward for 10 years.
Be specific. For each job, list the employer, their address and phone number, dates you worked, and your job title. Write a couple of sentences to explain what you did in that job.
Include your education. List school names, city & state, dates you attended and degrees or diplomas that you earned. Don't leave out certifications or technical schools.
Proofread your resume. There should not be any spelling or grammar mistakes.
Set up your resume on the page. Leave 1" margins on the page. Include bullets and underlined headings to help organize your resume.

Lie. Don't make up dates or job duties.
Leave off jobs. Gaps in employment history look suspicious.
Send out a resume with mistakes. Have someone else read your resume to catch mistakes you might miss.
List every single thing you did on every single job. Write about the main functions of your jobs, and what you achieved.
Use "big" words. You might misuse them. Better to have a simple resume that everyone understands.
Include personal information. Employers don't need to know about your marital status, family, or date of birth. Also leave out health status, recreational activities and personal interests.
Include reasons you left your previous jobs. If the employer wants this information, they will ask for it on the application.