How to Write a Resume

The following is a step by step guide on How to Write a Resume

Knowing how to write a resume is essential in today's competitive job market. Your resume is the first glimpse a potential employer will get in to your skills and qualifications; it is the first impression you will make, which is often the most important. If you need to learn how to write a resume, this article offers tips that will help you create a winning resume that highlights why you are the ideal candidate for the job.

Keep in mind that HR managers often receive dozens or even hundreds of resumes each day, so you must make your shine in order to make it stand out from the rest.

How to write a resume

1. Place your header at the top of the page. Your header should include your name, address, phone number and e-mail address. You may type this information in bold so that it stands out.

2. State your objective. In order to make a great impression, you need a clearly-defined objective that is targeted to the position you are applying for. Keep this brief, but make it attention-grabbing.

3. List your work experience. In this section, you should list your work history beginning with most recent or current employer. For each job, list the dates you worked, your position, your job duties and benefits, which means the benefits to the company that you provided. It is important that you sell yourself, so that a potential employer can see the benefits of hiring you.

4. Education. List your education, including dates attended, where you graduated, and any degrees, awards or certificates.

5. List references. Here, you want to list any previous employers who would give you a good reference, as well as friends or acquaintances.

6. Proofread your resume. It is essential that you proofread your work for spelling and grammar errors; mistakes in your resume are unprofessional, and can cause you to get looked over for the job.

Other tips for writing a winning resume

If you do not have much (or any) work experience and are fresh out of high school or college, list any activities you enjoy that may be related to the job. Never lie on your resume by claiming skills or knowledge you do not have, because these things will eventually be exposed.

Always use simple, easy-to-read fonts and leave plenty of white space around borders. Employers want to easily scan your resume quickly, and find the pertinent information they are looking for. By eliminating fancy fonts or graphics, your resume looks clean and professional, and will make a good impression.

It is also a good idea to jot all of your information down on paper before typing up your resume, so that you won't forget anything. You can take this information and condense it so that it fits on a single page. Take these tips on how to write a resume and put them to use, and yours will attract the attention of any prospective employer.