Resumes

Your resume should include a heading, a summary, your work experience, and your education history. It can also include an "additional information" section, highlighting such elements as titles or membership in organizations pertinent to the job you're seeking.

Unless you are applying for an especially creative position in a very progressive organization, a resume is usually not the place to prove how inventive you can be. It is generally best to stick to an accepted basic format and concentrate on getting the right information down in the best possible way. Consider using an on-line resume-writing service if you feel you could benefit from the assistance of a specialist.

Resume writing tips:

• Keep it simple. Avoid using special graphics, font types, and language that is any more colorful or intellectual than is absolutely necessary.
• Limit the length of your resume to one page. An exception can be made for senior executive-level candidates, who may supply a maximum of two pages.
• Condense your information as much as possible. Use sentence fragments or short, to-the-point sentences to create a summary statement or briefly describe the jobs you list. Leave out the pronoun, "I."
• Never make inaccurate claims. Most employers will seek to verify information such as job history and education before asking for interviews.
• Use action verbs to describe your accomplishments.
• Whenever possible, use terms or tasks listed in the advertisement for a job.
• Make sure all your job-relevant achievements have been clearly identified.
• Always check closely for any typos or formatting mistakes. Never send off a resume that is less than perfect in appearance.
• Get a "second opinion" from a friend or colleague who is not afraid to be critical.
• You should have a hard copy (paper) as well as an electronic copy of your resume. It should always be accompanied by a cover letter except when an on-line resume-posting service does not allow this. When you post a resume by itself, make sure your "summary" section provides any important information that is not discussed elsewhere.

The main thing to remember about resumes is that they will frequently be read very quickly. They should communicate all your important skills and experiences intelligently and simply, while showing a respect for the reader's time. Consult on-line resources if you are at all unsure about standard formatting for these documents.