Creating Your Resume

If your resume doesn't have that professional look of one done by a... professional, then your job application materials are likely to be placed in a haphazard pile on the wrong side of the hiring manager's desk. And yes, this is the side that contains the resumes of those that do not get called in for an interview.

Why is the way a resume looks so important? If you could see some of the resumes that cross this desk every week of the year, you wouldn't ask! Typographical errors everywhere, multiple sheets of paper that do not match, pages held together with a shoestring – yes, a shoestring – and resumes with no form whatsoever... different fonts, different sized fonts, and bullets everywhere.

That's why a resume that looks professional is immediately noticed. So, what do you need to do in order to have one of these rare resumes for yourself? First of all, realize that a resume is not just a listing of all the jobs you have held in the last five to ten years. Instead of being just a work history, your resume should show the company what you have proven, gained with effort, or learned in your life that could be of benefit to them.

Actually, there are four different types of resumes. We have the chronological resume, the targeted resume, the functional resume, and the combination resume, and it is advised that you use the resume that best fits your current situation.  

The chronological resume is the best type of resume to use if you have had a good, solid work history with no time gaps. Employers are always pleased to see this type of resume, as it is easy for them to tell at a glance what jobs you have had, and when you worked at them. With a chronological resume, your job information is listed in reverse order, with the most recent job listed first.

Creating a targeted resume is a lot of work when done correctly. However, it is perfect for when you have located a position that you feel is compatible with your knowledge and experience. This resume is tailored so that it brings out the skills and knowledge you have that are directly related to the job you want to apply for.

The functional resume works well for people who have decided it is in their best interest to change careers. It is also a good choice for anyone whose work history has time gaps. What makes this resume different is that it highlights the skills you have and the knowledge you have obtained, rather than just outlining your work history.

The combination resume will list an objective, any professional accomplishments, and what you feel are your job qualifications first, and then list your job history.  Most people who choose this type of resume take care to call attention to the experience and skills they posses that would go along with the type of position they are going to apply for.

What to Include On Your Resume

A resume is a vital tool if you are looking for a job that is something more than flipping burgers for a living! Without a resume, you more than likely won't even be granted an interview, much less be considered for a job. If you want to make sure that your resume will impress your potential employer, you need to know the best way to gather your information and mold it into an exceptional document.

To begin with, make a list of every job you have ever had, plus the dates. Add to this list all of your education, all of your volunteer work, committees, activities, and other experiences. At this point, you may want to organize your list by category. No, you aren't going to place all of this information on your resume! This is going to be your master list, and you should keep it in a safe place so that you can refer back to it when you need to add something new to it. You'll find it will save you time when you need to update your resume, as you will have all the pertinent facts in one place.

You want your resume to show that you are qualified for the type of position you are seeking. This is a good time to do some research on the company you plan to apply with. If you can get a feel for the company's pulse, it will help you choose which items to place on your resume for that company. If you will be applying at more than one company, it's best if you tailor your resume separately for each of them. Yes, it is a little more work for you, but it is also work that might pay off in the form of the job you have been coveting!

Once people know you are working on your resume, you will probably get all sorts of well-meaning advice, such as “Make sure your resume is different enough so that it stands out! That way, it will get noticed faster!” and “Leave out that job you were fired from.” Its fine to make your resume look a little different from the multitude a company receives when they are hiring. But, different doesn't mean using neon orange paper! Different means a well-thought out resume with crisp wording and no errors. Sadly, resumes like this a few and far between nowadays.

As far as leaving out information you aren't too proud of, you can if you would like. But, what would you do if the matter came up after you had been hired, and your boss asked you why you didn't mention it before? Such mistakes have cost people their jobs. It's much better to be up front when designing your resume. Work on showing your prospective employers how your education and experience make you the perfect candidate to work for their company.

What NOT To Include On Your Resume

Your resume is a very important document! It can make the difference in whether or not you land that interview for the job of your dreams. That said, it is just as important to know what NOT to include on a resume as it is to know what to include. Think of your resume as a brochure that is advertising.... You!

• Unless the job you will be applying for specifically asks, it's best not to mention your age on a resume. Why? Whether they want to admit it or not, employers do look at age. If two people of two different ages with the same education and the same experience both apply for a job, 9 times out of 10, the one who is the youngest is going to get the job. Fair? No, but that is usually what happens.

• Never place personal information on a resume. Whether or not you are married, have children, or have been misunderstood by every boss you have ever had, your resume is not the place to tell about it.

• A resume is meant to show you in the best light possible. It isn't supposed to be the story of your life. Therefore, you should refrain from mentioning any disabilities you may have, how much you need this job, or anything negative about you or your life.

• It isn't really a good idea to place a photo of yourself on a resume. Neither should you list your height and weight unless the job you want requires this information.

• It's a good idea not to mention any hobbies you enjoy outside of working hours. There's a tendency to list too many, which might make your potential employer wonder how in the world you find time to work with so many interests to take up your time!

• If by chance you have never had a job before, had a job where you only worked for 2 weeks before leaving, or feel like bragging about how much you earned at a previous job, leave it off of your resume. Your goal is to get called in for an interview so you can hopefully land a job. Mentioning these things on a resume (or at a job interview, unless asked) is not the way to impress the interviewer!

Curriculum Vitae or Resume?

Should you use a curriculum vitae or a resume to help you to get that job you desire? A lot depends on where the job is located. In the United States, a resume is the standard for most jobs, where as a curriculum vitae is used for a job located in the academic or scientific sectors. For someone who is attempting to get a fellowship or a grant in the United States, it is also commonly used.

On other continents such as Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia, the curriculum vitae is preferred over the resume. In the United States, there are laws in place which decree what sort of personal information a person can be asked to supply on a resume. This is not the case in other countries, where questions such as nationality and place of birth are common.

Resumes are normally just a summary of a person's job skills and education, and at their longest are only around two pages. The curriculum vitae are at least two pages, usually more, and are much more detailed. A lot of information can go into a proper curriculum vitae, so much that preparing one can seem to be a bit overwhelming. Knowing what to put in and what not to put in is important!

A curriculum vitae in the United States is usually used to get an academic job. In New Zealand, a curriculum vitae is essential for any type of job. This CV will contain your:

• Personal information such as country of origin, name and address, place and date of birth, and marital status.

• Educational qualifications such as where you went to school or University, the dates your education started and ended, and the courses that you took.

• Work experience you have, with the dates that your employment started and ended, the name and address of the companies that you worked for, and a description of the responsibilities you had and skills you used at each job. Skills you may possess, but did not use in your jobs may be listed as well.

• Community service and activities, sports activities, volunteer work and hobbies you have been or are presently involved with should be summarized.

• Letters of reference, if any, should state the name of the person they are from, the company where they work, and the position they hold at that company.

A cover letter is sent along with the curriculum vitae to indicate which job you are interested in applying for, state why you feel you are qualified, and advise as to when you will be available for an interview. End the cover letter by thanking the employer for his or her time.

 
Improving Your Curriculum Vitae

Have you heard that around 82% of job applicants are rejected when the time comes for their curriculum vitae to be reviewed? Well-qualified individuals won't get the chance to prove what they can do, because their CV did not accurately represent them. More than likely, they didn't understand the importance of a well laid out, thoughtfully prepared curriculum vitae.

You want a curriculum vitae that will stand out among all the rest, and that will highlight your achievements and goals. But, how do you begin to organize all of your information into a document that can sometimes end up being quite long? The easiest method is to use your computer, or pen and paper if you prefer, to create a master list of your achievements, education, skills, and other pertinent information. Start the list off with headings such as:

• Career Objectives
• Education, including any Post Graduate, Graduate, and Undergraduate degrees
• Extracurricular activities and achievements
• Relevant courses completed that match career objectives
• Community Involvement
• Work experience – either paid or volunteer
• Specialized and technical skills
• Foreign Language skills
• Hobbies and Interests
• Additional information that supports objectives and qualifications

Once you have all of your headings in place, you can start placing your information beneath the proper one. This exercise merely helps you to get all of your background, educational, and employment information in one place. You may or may not choose to use all of this info in your curriculum vitae.

Remember that your CV is your life and job history, along with your skills and achievements. You could even consider a curriculum vitae as your marketing tool, for you are in a sense marketing yourself to your potential employer. You want them to see you as qualified for the position you seek in every way, so look at your CV through their eyes. Would you want to hire someone with your education and qualifications?

Anytime you are in the position of looking for work, it is a good idea to have a curriculum vitae prepared for more than one type of job. Different jobs would, of course, have different objectives. Your various CVs could highlight your education and experiences that match up with what is required of each individual job you plan to apply for.

You will need to supply references on your curriculum vitae. It's a good idea to ask people if they would mind being a reference for you before placing them on your CV. Don't forget a cover letter! It should be carefully prepared as well.  In it, you can bring out the points mentioned in your CV that particularly correspond to the job you are supplying for.