How to write a resume
A resume - sometimes called a
'Curriculum Vitae' or 'CV' - is a summary of your skills, education and work
experience. A good resume demonstrates how your skills and abilities match up
with the requirements of a job.
How
long should a resume be?
Resumes give you the opportunity to
sell yourself to a potential employer. A resume is not an exhaustive list - if
it's too long it probably won't get read at all. The best resumes are usually
no longer than one or two pages.
Do
I need to change my resume every time?
You should change your resume with
every job application so that it lists the skills and experiences you have that
are most relevant to the job you're applying for. A tailored resume will be
much more successful than a generic one, even though it means more preparation.
What
if I don't have much experience?
While things like your academic
record and work experience are typical ways to show how suited you are to a
particular job, these are not the only things you should include. There are
other ways to demonstrate that you are the right person for the job, including
your:
- Personal traits - you're an honest worker, you enjoy being part of a big team
- Strengths - things you're good at or enjoy
- Experiences - volunteering or extracurricular activities
- Key responsibilities and achievements - any awards or recognition that you've received
How
do I organise my resume's information?
The structure of your resume will
vary depending on your work experience and education and training background.
A resume usually sets out
information in a reverse order. Your most recent work experience and study
details should be first on the list.
What
do I include on my resume?
Here's a brief rundown on the
essential things to include on your resume.
Personal
details
Full name and contact details
including address, telephone number(s) and email address.
Education
and training
A summary of your education and
training history, starting with your most recent studies, making sure you
include all training that's relevant to the job you're applying for.
Employment
history
Start with your most recent work
history and work backwards chronologically, listing the name of the employer,
your job title, the dates you worked there, and your responsibilities, tasks
and achievements. Make sure you include everything that's relevant to the job.
Skills
and abilities
A list of the things you're good at.
These can be general skills or skills specific to a particular job. List them
under broad headings such as "Communication" and
"Teamwork".
Career
objective (optional)
Tell the employer what type of job
you want end up with; this shows that you've given thought to your future
career.
Interests
(optional)
A list of your hobbies and
interests; this gives employers more information about you and also shows other
areas of your life where you've gained experiences such as teamwork and
commitment.
Referees
List people who can talk about how
good a worker you are. Make sure you get their permission before including them
on your resume. List their name, company name occupation, and contact details.
For more information, look at our Who can be my referee page.
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