Resume Writing Tips Your resume is not an autobiography. It is a sales brochure. Given that employers screen resumes between 2.5 and 20 seconds it is imperative that your resume grab the reader's attention. The resume is simply a marketing tool to get you into the door. There is no one best way to write a resume; there are no absolutes. If there were, everyone would appear stereotyped, and this is what you want to avoid. You want to come across as an individual with unique qualities who stands out above your competitors. A resume - even the best resume - will not get you the job; you'll need to convince the employer during the job interview that you are the best candidate for the position. Every career counselor and recruiter has his or her own resume writing technique. Even the formatting you use and the positions you list depend on (a) the industry, (b) the specific job, and (c) your experience. Your resume should show why an employer should hire you for the job by focusing on your accomplishments and presenting your best characteristics and past successes in ways which demonstrate your potential for future success. Your resume should show a sense of career direction, present your responsibilities and achievements, and reflect examples of your transferable skills. It should also be easy to read. White space should be used effectively. Each section should be visually distinct. Each statement should be visually distinct. There are five basic resume formats - (1) chronological, (2) functional, (3) combination, (4) modified letter or broadcast, and (5) electronic. Choose the format that best showcases your skills, accomplishments, and experience. The three most frequently used resume formats are: Chronological - a chronological listing of employment and employment-related experiences. The format highlights recent employment, while deemphasizing experiences further back in time. The chronological resume is best for those with a consistent employment history; no gaps in employment and whose past employment experiences are directly related to their current employment goals. Functional - highlights skills, experiences and accomplishments without identifying specific dates, names, and places. Information is organized by functions or skills, advertising the specific qualifications needed for the occupations. This format works very well for people changing careers, first-time job seekers, those reentering the workforce and persons who want to emphasize information that may be viewed as outdated. *Note: This type of resume creates suspicion that the person may be trying to hide something. Combination - brings the best of both the chronological and functional resumes. It features a functional section that highlights skills, accomplishments, and experience. It also includes a chronological listing of employment, educational and employment-related experiences. The combination resume is a very effective format for many job seekers. Once you have determined which resume format to use to showcase your skills, experience and education, you must now determine which components, common to most resumes, you should include on your resume. Those components include the following: Heading / Contact Information Summary / Job Objective Qualifications Skills and Abilities Education Work Experience Related Activities Military Service Volunteer Work Special Skills / Interests Additional Information -Sheria Slone Mitchell, M.A. is the Soft Skills/Work Keys Coordinator for Bishop State Community College. For more information about Soft Skills Training and/or WorkKeys, please call 405-7085 or e-mail smitchell@bishop.edu