The 7 Key Steps to Writing a Resume
Gaining focus and creating a strong, content-rich resume is easy when you follow these seven simple steps:
Review as many resume samples as you can. Look over old versions of your own resume, and ask friends and associates if they'd mind letting you take a look at theirs. This book includes many samples of many different resumes, designed for many different fields. You can also find a wide range of resume samples on the Web.
Analyze those resumes. Think about what makes them work (or not work). Effective elements might include things like format, content, typeface, and the order of information.
Identify your job objectives and your target audience. This doesn't mean you need to include a career objective on your resume. It does mean that you need an understanding of the field you plan to pursue. Be sure you know the proper terminology, the job functions that will make you valuable, and how to present yourself as a viable candidate.
Perform an inventory of your qualifications and achievements. Knowing yourself and being confident in your abilities is key to creating a powerful resume.
Analyze your competencies and capabilities as they relate to your job goals and your chosen field. This is another aspect of the “know yourself” mantra. How do you see yourself contributing to this field? Remember your unique value proposition and identify what makes you the most desirable candidate for the job you seek.
Draft your resume and critique it. Compare your draft to the samples you've analyzed and admired. How does it compare in terms of format, content, and order of information? Fix those elements you see that can be stronger. Proofread it carefully, and after you're sure it's perfect, ask a friend to look it over.
Make plenty of copies, and distribute your resume whenever appropriate. Try sending it by e-mail to several friends. See if any of them have trouble opening up the document or if your layout or fonts become altered.
