A resume is your chance to present all of the information which proves that you have the required skills and experience for the job. Writing an effective resume takes time – you need to ensure that you have included all the desired information clearly and succinctly. Remember that its purpose is to persuade an employer to consider you for a position over other applicants. It is a compilation of your skills, achievements, education, employment history and personal interests, and provides the important first impression of you and your employee potential.
The difference between gaining an interview and not, is approximately two minutes. This is the estimated time an employer devotes to reading your resume and deciding whether you are a potential candidate for the position. Having decided, he/she will most likely re-examine your resume in more detail, but it is this first impression that can make or break your initial application.
To get you started, at the top of your resume include:
- A brief one paragraph summary of your career aims and how you believe you can fit into your targeted organisation
- A short list of your key skills and attributes, trying to remain as specific as possible. Demonstrable skills are more desirable than personal attributes such as “organisational skills” or “punctuality”
- Provide a short, bullet point summary of your recent work history
Content
When writing your resume remember to make it clear and easy to read; a prospective employer wants to read information that is relevant to the position on offer, so think of your resume as a series of facts. Keep sentences short and list your most recent jobs first. Before you decide on the layout of your resume, do some research and prepare the content.
- The following should always be included in your resume:
- Personal details including your residential address, your mobile phone number and an email address
- Career history and job descriptions – include specific dates, skills, experience, achievements and evidence of progression
- Vocational and professional qualifications
- Awards and achievements
- Referees – when listing referees, ensure you include a full name, company and phone number. Always contact your referees prior to giving out their details as a professional courtesy
The layout you choose for your resume will be determined by your situation i.e. new jobseeker, graduate, professional: If you are a recent school leaver or about to graduate from tertiary education you may not have a job history to include, if this is the case highlight your personal skills and attributes that would recommend you for the position or the graduate job. If education is your strongest asset, list it first, paying particular attention to courses that are relevant to the position.
If you have done any part-time or temporary work, contract jobs or work experience, include this. Stress the skills you have learnt and attributes used. If your job was not related to the position you are aiming for, describe the skills and attributes you gained in doing it rather than just your duties.
For example, rather than "worked as a waiter", include details of how this involved developing your customer-service and time-management skills, requiring strong personal skills and working as part of a team in a high pressure environment.