Creating Your Resume Your very first one Step

Creating Your Resume Your very first one!

Step One n Select a simple and standardized format, nothing too fancy. Try one of the examples given on the Internet. They are often job specific.

Paper is Important n Use heavy weight plain white or offwhite paper and avoid flashy fonts or scented sheets (You’re not Elle from Legally Blonde)

Be Accurate! n Make sure your contact information is accurate and up-to-date. Include a primary contact number, and a cell phone number and email address if you have one.

Think! n If your email address has a nickname or an overly cutesy name consider opening a free email account with some variation of your actual name, nothing ruins a resume faster than a name like superstud 1993@freemail. com in the contact line.

Objective Statement n Include an introductory paragraph of 2 or 3 sentences telling the employer about your strongest and most desirable personality traits. Tailor this to highlight those traits most applicable to the job for which you are applying. This is sometimes called an Objective Statement.

No Experience? n n If you truly have no work experience, list your volunteer work or community activities. If you have work experience through a course at school, make note of it. If you’ve had odd jobs such as babysitting or mowing for neighbors, list it. If at all possible, get letters of reference.

Education Counts! n List course work from school that is relevant to the job. Make note of academic achievements or awards. Explain how your excellent performance in these areas would benefit the employer or enhance your ability to do the job. If you can, get a letter of reference from a teacher of one of the courses you mention.

Extra! n List your extracurricular activities of a non-volunteer nature such as sports, church or youth groups, school committees, etc. If you have a position of authority in any of these groups make note of it and describe your duties as if they were a job.

Sell it! n Finally, sell yourself by making a list of your skills, special talents, or positive personality traits in the context of the job for which you are applying.

Tip #1 n When writing your first resume never pad it or make it longer than a page; employers aren’t expecting a long work history from a first time worker.

Tip #2 n Remember that the rules change once you have some work experience or career-oriented education. Your resume will need to be revised as you gain experience!

Tip #3 n Don’t lie and always be true to who you are. Any deception will be very obvious to an experienced interviewer and will cost you the job.