Your Resume

What is a Resume?

A resume is a brief summary of your personal

details, educational and professional life. It

covers aspects of your background relevant

to the job you are seeking.

Four Major Uses

• Your personal record of education and work history

• First real contact between you and a potential employer

• Used to prompt questions at an interview

• Reviewed after the interview to refresh memories and make comparisons with other candidates

A Successful Resume has…

• A dynamic layout and a professionally designed front cover

• A marketing orientated approach to selling ‘you’

• A personal profile

• A highly readable writing style

Layout

Prospective employers like to see details of

your qualifications, training and experience at

a glance. Use of side or shoulder headings

and the insertion of dates will give them a

complete picture very quickly.

Information to Include

• Personal Details• Career Goals• Education• Special Training and Skills• Special Qualifications and Abilities• Employment Experience• Extracurricular Activities• Referees• References

Points to Remember

• Check for spelling, punctuality or grammatical errors

• Place most relevant information on the first page (if possible)

• List work experience either chronologically or in order of relevance

• Highlight your strongest points but avoid boastful statements

Presentation Folder

Suggested order:

• Current resume (incl additional copies)

• Certificates and any educational quals

• References and details of referees

• Samples of your work

In SummaryYour resume is possibly the most important document youwill ever possess, and so it should contain the right mix ofinformation to sell you in the most effective and appropriatemanner. Professional assets, achievements, extracts fromreferences and a personal profile are all proven marketingtools which can help you achieve your employment goals.Remember that employers need to know considerably moreabout you than your working history. Employees areselected on more than just their qualifications andexperience, so you should give employers what they need tomake a positive decision - in your favour.