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Writing your resume
Resources to help you sell yourself
There is no one way to write your resume. Depending on your personal style and the type of job you are applying for, it can vary in style, organization or (somewhat) content. However, all resumes share the following in common:
- Name, address, telephone, e-mail address, web site address
- Objective or Summary (tells potential employers the sort of work you're hoping to do)
- Summary of skills (especially important if you are applying to a position that requires knowledge of specialized software, machinery, languages, techniques, etc.)
- Education
- Work Experience
- Other information (An especially important section for AmeriCorps and VISTA veterans)
In most cases, that's it. It is fine if it is only one page, and certainly should never be more than two. Do not add "fluff" to your resume to try to impress or overstate your experience. You have a lot to offer: believe that, then state it strongly but honestly in your resume.
Go back to your journal entries where you listed your skills and achievements to help you write a strong resume.
Then, see the following:
- Sample resumes
- Sample cover letters
- Sample job interview questions
- Use the Skill Inventory List to help you identify skills you have and would like to develop.
- Use the Skill Clusters to find how your skills relate to various job fields to highlight on your resume.
