Related Links

• Chronological Resume
• Functional Resume
• Targeted Resume
• Digital Resume
• Cover Letter
• Production & Tips
• Solutions to Frequently Encountered Problems
• FAQs of Resume Writers

 

Career

The Resume Guide

The task of writing a resume may seem overwhelming if you are unfamiliar with this type of document. There are some easily understood techniques that can and should be used. This section was written to help you understand the purpose of the resume, the different types of resume formats available, and how to write the sections traditionally found on a resume. We will present example and explanations that address questions frequently posed by people writing their first resume or updating an old resume. Even within the formats and suggestions given, however, there are infinite variations. True, most resumes follow one of the outlines suggested, but you should feel free to adjust the resume to suit your needs and make it expressive of your life and experience.

Why Write a Resume?

The purpose of a resume is to convince the employer that you should be interviewed. Whether you are mailing, faxing or e-mailing this document, you’ll want to present enough information to show that you can make an immediate and valuable contribution to an organization. A resume is not an in-depth historical or legal document. Later in the job search process you may be asked to document your entire work history on an application form and attest to its validity. The resume should, instead, highlight information relevant to the organization that will receive the resume or to the type of position you are seeking.

We will discuss four types of resumes in this section: the chronological resume, functional resume, targeted resume and the electronic resume. The reasons for using one type of resume over another and the typical format for each are addressed in the following sections.