How to Make a Resume

• Before you write the first word of your resume, determine the position and industry you want to target. Then make an outline of your presentation and fill in the details of your background. Make sure you keep the focus on your target.

• Avoid the functional resume format. Too many negatives associated with it (read about the problems with functional resumes).

• The general rule for page length is 1-page for typical entry level college students and 2 pages for everyone else. There can be exceptions to this but the longer the resume, the less likely it will be read. So make sure your document is concise.

• Don't include a picture of yourself unless you're in an industry that requires a photograph (e.g., TV, theatre, film).

• Don't include personal information (marital status, children, date of birth, ethnicity) on a US style resume. Note that this information is generally acceptable when you make an international resume/CV.

• Make sure to put your name on the first line at the top of your resume in a large font with your contact information immediately below it. Don't include cell phone or pager numbers.

• Use a summary section "intro" on your resume to give the reader a brief picture of your background. Make this section very short and strong.

• Include a bulleted list in the experience section of your resume to showcase your accomplishments. Make these statements short and strong. Use quantifiable information and action verbs.

• Use a font size between 10 and 12 for the body text of your resume. Make sure to choose a font that's compatible with applicant tracking systems that many employers use.

• If you have negative information in your background, try to avoid including it on your resume if you can. If you can't, then make sure you present it in a way that lessens the negative impact. For example, often older workers attempt to disguise their age by omitting their dates of employment and college graduation dates. This approach rarely fools anyone and can actually backfire by making the reader say to himself/herself: "If this candidate is worried about their age, maybe I should be worried about it, too". I recommend turning negative issues such as age into positives. Always try to figure out how to turn your lemons into lemonade.

• Watch the tone of your resume. Make sure you don't write in an arrogant, pompous, or self-serving manner. You're going to have a tough time selling yourself to a prospective employer if he/she feels you're talking down to them.

• Make sure your resume is accurate and be honest with what you say. It's OK to present yourself in the best light you can but an outright lie can hurt you later on if the truth comes out. It happens all the time.

• Don't include salary information or your references on your resume document.

• Once you've finalized your resume, make sure you make all the file conversions you will need in your job search. Other files you may need in addition to your word processed file include an ASCII .txt file for "cutting and pasting" into e-mail messages and posting on job boards, an Adobe .pdf file for sending as attached files, and an HTML file for putting your resume on a Web page.

Now you know the basics on how to make a resume. After you've written your resume following these guidelines, I can review your new document and give you specific recommendations on how to make your resume even more effective:

Get help with your resume!

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