Resume Writing Guide
A resume is primarily a marketing tool, with the goal of landing an interview with potential employers. It is not a complete personal history, and you should choose selectively what skills and experience to highlight. A helpful exercise is to put yourself in the position of the recruiter – what are the skills and experiences that will make you stand out for the specific position?
Resumes have four major sections: contact information, education, professional experience, and additional information. The sections allow recruiters to quickly find relevant information about you. The following are several things to consider while writing your resume.
- Less is More: Resumes are as much about what you don’t put on them as what you do put on them.
- Achievement Stories: Talk about achievements, not responsibilities.
- Target the Resume: Use industry specific wording and focus on relevant experience.
- Take Credit, Give Credit: Do not exaggerate accomplishments. Do back-up claims with evidence.
- Specify Impact: Every experience should be quantified. Measure your success.
- Submit in PDF: Always submit in PDF to avoid formatting and compatibility issues.
- Bold, Italics, Underline: Be consistent with style and make sure you use it for a clear purpose.