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The resume is the first impression
that a prospective employer has of you, making it
not only the initial, but also the most crucial step
you take in your job search.
It is your personal marketing tool, and you have
to use it properly.
Think always of your resume as a selling tool that
outlines your skills and experiences so that an employer
can see, at a glance, how you can contribute to the
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Resume is the American English word used for the Latin expression
“curriculum vitae,” which is a brief written account
of one's past history, used when applying for a job. In the
American English usage, the term “curriculum vitae”
is reserved for longer resumes, used in the medical and academic
fields, which generally include not only experience and education
but also publications, certifications, courses taught, presentations,
awards and honors and professional associations.
Well designed resumes
Even though content is important, well-qualified people often
are not considered for positions because of poorly designed
resumes, and just the opposite can be true. Even if your qualifications
are not the greatest, a well-designed resume improves your
chances of getting an interview. Incidentally, many people
assume that sending a resume to an employer will get them
a job. This is not the case: The purpose of a resume is to
secure an interview and, through this, to get the job.
You should write your resume tailored both for the position
you want and for the employer to whom you send it; consequently,
you probably won't send any two resumes that are exactly alike.
Chronological resumes and functional resumes
There are two basic types of resumes: the chronological and
the functional or skill-based resume.
The chronological resume lists your job history beginning
with your present or most recent position.
The skill-based or functional resume emphasizes your abilities
and accomplishments without providing detailed background
information on where and when you acquired these skills.
The right resume for you
Choosing one type of resume or another will depend on your
personal job-search situation. The functional or skill-based
resume, which allows you to play down gaps in your experience,
is especially suitable for people entering the job market
for the first time. Conversely, people who can show a long
labor history may choose the chronological resume as the one
that fits their situation best.
Once you define your own job-search situation, EasyJob
will propose
the right type of resume according to the option you made.
Obviously, you may introduce any change you think is better
for your particular case. Take care, however, not to change
the order of the sections given by the software. The order
provided is based on the accumulated knowledge of many employment
experts. Certainly, you may change the order of the elements
within a given section as a way to draw attention to the ones
you think should be emphasized (for instance, mentioning first
the name of the company when this is more "impressive"
than the position).
Resume writing techniques
Use action verbs (administered, assisted, budgeted, completed,
gained, inspected, reduced, organized, upgraded, structured,
etc.) and avoid using first-person pronouns (I, We).
Be extremely careful with grammar and spelling. Remember
that spell-check programs do not catch all typos, particularly
those words that are spelled correctly but used incorrectly.
The following sentence gives you an example: “I was
glad to get his advise.” “Advise” in this
sentence is wrong. The correct word is “advice.”
Spell check programs, however, will not change “advise”
to “advice,” because “advise” is the
correct spelling for the verb “to advise.”
Always use high-quality paper (at least 40-lb. weight) in
white, ivory, or light gray. If you want to be noticed, use
a soft-colored paper such as salmon, light blue, or light
blue-green; your résumé will stand out against
the piles of ivories and whites. Before making your final
selection, make sure that the color that you have chosen will
photocopy well. Your resume will most likely be duplicated
and faxed by employers, so this is an important factor.
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