Buy and Sell Resume Writing Tips
Job Specific
Your resume and cover letter go together like peanut butter and jam. They help to portray your goals to the right people, so make sure you are focused on the particular position you are applying for
Keep it to One Page
You do not need to include every job that you have ever worked in your resume. Keep it to previous experience that relates to the position you are applying for, or your most recent jobs. There is no proven formula for writing a resume so use your own intelligence and creativity when deciding what should be included. And remember tailor your resume to the current position you are applying for.
Collect all of your information
Make a list of your previous jobs.
Name & location of organization.
Your title or position.
Your job responsibilities.
Skills required in that position.
Have your paperwork ready
College transcripts and/or University Diploma
Certificates from special training
Endorsements or Certifications
Professional Affiliations or Leadership
Reference names, addresses, phone numbers, & emails
Workshops you've attended, presentations you've made
List your papers, presentations, or publications.
Keep It Focused and Clear
Don’t abuse your thesaurus. Employers see right through all the big words. A concise resume using action verbs/statements will make it easy to see who you are and what skills you possess. Watch out for errors in your resume. Something as simple as having a few spelling mistakes or wrong dates really looks bad on you
Appearance & Formatting
Do not use a font size that is too small to be read easily. 10-12 point Times New Roman/Arial are standard. Leave about an inch on both sides for margins to create a nice white balance. Avoid bullets, fancy fonts, and the gratuitous use of bolding, underlining, and italics. Watch out for tense shifts. Regardless of what format you choose, you must be consistent..
What To Include
Name, Address, Phone, Email
Objective
Education
Professional Experience / Skills
Honors and Awards / Recognition
Leadership Experience / Enrichment
Community Service
Language Proficiency / Travel Abroad
Publications / Research / Presentations
Military Service
Professional Affiliations
Relevant Coursework
Other Pertinent Information
Electronic Submissions
It is always better to submit your resume in person. However, if the employer requested an electronic form of submittal, be sure to save the file in a format that is available. Rich-text or Word files are common. If you know your destination has the same computer system and word processing software as yours, send it as an attached file. Don’t forget to enclose your cover letter too!
References
Do not put “References Available Upon Request.” That phrase is a pet peeve for many employers who rarely have time to contact every candidate to request references. Instead, provide a separate sheet that lists the name, title, address, phone, and email address of each reference—including a description of their relationship to you.