How to Write a Resumé

Writing an impressive resumé is a daunting task.  A resumé is chance to market yourself and distinguish your potential and experience from what could potentially be hundreds of others attempting to do precisely the same thing, so how do you make yourself memorable before your employer has even met you?  Write yourself an outstanding resumé and you will be on your way to an interview. The key is to follow a few basic rules, and customize the rest yourself.

1). Grammar

It won't matter how qualified you are or what kind of stellar experience you have to recommend you; if your resumé starts with a typo, poor syntax, or incorrect grammar, it will speak significantly against your attention to detail, diligence, intelligence and accountability.  For a guide to the most universally correct style, see the AP Style Guide.

2). Highlight what's relevent

Your employer will not care about how much experience you have in any fields besides what is relevant, so look carefully at the job posting you are responding to and identify how what you have done answers the needs of the job description.  Here are a few sample job postings to get you started.

3). Identify Yourself Clearly

Sifting through a stack of resumés, employers will notice visually strong and focused resumés.  Format your resumé so that your contact information is clearly written and easy to read at both the top and the bottom of the resumé, with an objective or industry title visible upfront.  Click here for more in-depth information regarding resumé headings.

4). Choose Your Words

Choose your words carefully.  A classic resumé-writing tip is to focus on action words—words that speak loudly, impressively and proactively about what you have done.  Find a list of action words here.

5). Be Succinct

As with the cover letter, brevity is valued highy in resumés.  Those writing resumés commonly assume that more information provided leads to better chances of getting an interview.  This is highly untrue, and the trait of a good writer is one who can say the most with the fewest words.  Work on this and it will remain a lifelong skill.

6). Format Font and Size

Make sure the typeface you choose is easily readable, even with a quick scan. Do not use a font that is smaller than 11 pts.  Arial and Times New Roman are classic choices for resumé writing and cover letters as well.

7). Avoid the Obvious

Like overly-general topic sentences and overused adjectives, information the reader already knows is highly undesirable, especially when you have limited space to express your information.  In a resumé, writing things like "available for an interview" are less than necessary, as this is clearly indicated by your resumé submission in the first place.  Keep in mind the fact that your potential employer is very busy.

Lastly, remember to proofread your resumé as many times as you edit it, and then a few times more.  It's always best to have someone else take a look before you send it out!