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In this section, you will learn what makes a resume effective, understand the guidelines
for developing a resume, and learn the importance of saving a resume in different file formats.
An effective Resume: Quickly gets the attention of the reader
It is a brief overview of your experience, education and skills.
It clearly communicates why YOU are the best candidate for the job making that connection
FOR the employer by focusing on your skills and experience that matches what they are
looking for. An effective resume reads easily and is visually
appealing it inspires the reader to WANT to read more and does not overwhelm them.
Remember that recruiters and hiring managers may be scanning through hundreds of resumes
Remember that Resumes are a work in progress -- you will draft and rewrite it several times
Always check for spelling and grammar errors -- no typos are acceptable.
In listing your work history, just list your most recent experience -- 10-15 years back.
It is likely that this will be your most relevant experience.
Avoid gaps between jobs, but if you have them, be prepared to discuss any that are listed.
Resumes usually list only the years that you worked for an employer. Including the months
or specific dates is not necessary. Throughout the resume, Focus on action verbs
rather than "I" or "We." Your statements should be short phrases, not
long sentences or paragraphs. Resumes should be no more than 2 pages in
length -- Experienced workers and professionals may certainly have 2 pages - just make sure
you have your Name on the top P. 2. Be consistent in formatting - this is a very
common mistake. Same font throughout. Suggested fonts -- Times New Roman, Arial,
Calibri -- size 11 or 12 Use bold, capital letters, and underlines
to separate sections, but don't overuse them -- Refer to resume sample for guidelines.
Avoid the use of jargon and acronyms so as to not confuse the reader.
Do NOT list your references on your resume - this will be listed on a separate reference
sheet. Create a cover letter and include it with
your resume when requested -- we will cover this later in the course.
Use professional grade paper -- this is best. Do not list employer's addresses and phone
numbers -- this information is for the reference sheet.
Most important details at the top of the page.2 Do not list personal information (marital
status etc.). Make sure that what you list is relevant to
your job search. Use a file format that is user friendly such
as Microsoft Word or save as PDF. These are compatible and user friendly to most companies
and transfer best electronically. Keep it simple!
You now have the information you need to begin developing an effective resume!