Resume writing Tips

Contents & Style

• Prepare the resume before the application letter to summarize the facts the letter will be based on.
• Present the strongest qualifications first.
• Use short noun phrases and action verbs.
• Use facts, not opinions.
• Avoid excessive use of personal pronouns.
• Omit the date of preparation.
• Omit mention of your desired salary work schedule or vacation schedule.

Contact information

• Use a title or your name and address, as a heading.
• List your name address, area code and telephone number –for both school or work and home, if appropriate.

Career Objective and Skills Summary (Optional)

• Be as specific as possible about what you want to do.
• State a broad and flexible goal to increase the scope of your job prospects.
• Prepare two different resumes if you can do two unrelated types of work.
• Summarize your key qualifications.
• State the month and if you know it the day on which you will be available to start work.

Education

• List all relevant schooling and training since high school, with the most recent first.
  • List the name and location of every institution you have attended, with the dates you entered and left and the degrees or certificates you obtained.
  • Indicate your major (and minor) fields in college work.
  • State your marks /grades average, if your average is impressive enough.
• List relevant required or elective courses in descending order of importance.
• List any other related educational or training experiences, such as job-related seminars or workshops attended and certificates obtained that show an ability to work with others; and writing or speaking activities, and roles in academic or professional organizations.
• In most circumstances, exclude mention of religious or political affiliations.

Other Relevant Facts

• List other information, such as your proficiency in languages.
• Mention your ability to operate any machines, equipment or computer software used in the job.

Personal data

• Omit personal details that could be regarded negatively or be used to discriminate against you.
• Omit or downplay references to age if it could suggest inexperience or approaching retirement.
• Describe military service (branch of service, where you served, rank attained, and the dates of induction and discharge) here or, if relevant, under “Education, or work Experience.”
• List job–related interests and hobbies especially those indicating stamina, strength, sociability, or other qualities that and desirable in position you seek.

References

• Offer to supply the names of references on request.
  • Supply names of academic, employment, and professional associates- but no relatives.
  • Provide name, a title, an address, and a telephone number for each reference.

List no name as a reference until you have that permission to do so.