How To Write an Effective Resume

A well composed resume is the key to landing nearly any job; an unprofessional or sloppy resume won't get a second glance from a hiring manager. Here are some tips on writing a professional resume:

1. Select a legible template. Most word processor programs (like Microsoft Word or Google Docs) will already have resume templates available to you. You want a template that is bold, but not excessively so. You want to avoid blocks of words that are difficult to read, and stick to fonts like Times New Roman or Arial. I'll include the format that I use for my resumes at the end of this post.

2. Decide what type of resume will best highlight your accomplishments. There are 4 main types of resumes: targeted, chronological, functional, or combination.

• A targeted resume highlights skills and experience that are specific to the job you're applying for. Targeted resumes are a good investment of your time if you want to hone in on the qualifications you have that are specific to that job (especially if you plan on making it a career). It's good to write a targeted resume for any job you apply for, but not always practical
• A chronological resume lists your work experience in order from your most recent job to your first job. Chronological resumes are typically passable for entry-level jobs like retail, food service, etc. A chronological resume will benefit those with an extensive work history.
• A functional resume focuses on your experiences and skills rather than work history. This type of resume is good for those who have little to no work history or are changing their career path, but want to showcase their skills and accomplishments. 
• A combination resume combines the format of a chronological resume and a functional resume. It typically lists skills and achievements at the top, followed by work history. This is the resume type that I use, since I want to mention skills that I've picked up while being employed that make me an asset. 

3. Determine the skills and work history that are relevant to the job you're applying for. You don't need to include skills or hobbies that aren't relevant. Mentioning that you volunteered at an animal shelter would be appropriate when applying to a vet's office, but not when you're applying to a retail or food service job. Extraneous information clutters your resume and quite frankly, can irritate hiring managers. You have to reflect your own professionalism in your resume. An unprofessional, poorly written resume won't be reviewed. 

4. Keep it short and sweet. Employers want to be able to skim over your resume and absorb the main points. Using bullet points to list your skills, duties, etc makes them more readable and easier to remember. If you decide to use bullet points, you must keep the formatting consistent throughout the resume and continue using them. You don't want to leave out any important information for the sake of being concise, but you also don't want to write a novella about your previous job. Your resume should be a maximum of 2 pages, but preferably 1. 

5. Include 3 references. You should include references on your resume, regardless of the job you're applying for. Don't use personal references; you need to find 3 professional references, and make sure you choose references that are able to vouch for your skills and abilities. 

6. Proofread your resume multiple times. Submitting a resume with typos in it shows your employer that you didn't feel the need to proofread your resume. You should proofread your resume 2-3 times at the least to make sure that there are no typos or incorrect dates/numbers listed. 

7. Ask your friends/family to look at your resume. It's important to at least have one other person look over your resume before submitting it to any employers. Have one or more people proofread it for you, looking for typos, inconsistent formatting, or extraneous information. Make sure they assess its readability as well. Once you've made your final corrections, your resume should be ready for employers to review.

This is my preferred format: 

Microsoft Word Template "Basic Resume"