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Objective
 Well written objectives are an important part of a resume. They clarify exactly what you want to do. If you are targeting several functional areas, it is normal to have several resumes with different objectives. Review the two objectives below:
Discipline-Specific Objective: To obtain a challenging position in a fast-paced environment where my skills and experience can be utilized to their fullest potential.
The objective above could mean a position in any department, division, or job discipline. It tells the manager very little about your direction and desire to join the specific job for which you are applying.
Job-Specific Objective: District Sales Manager, San Leandro County, California
This second objective is precise and tells the manager that your resume has been created specifically with this position in mind.
Work Experience
Work experience can be arranged in several ways, the two most common formats being Reverse Chronological and Functional.
See the samples below of how work experience can be structured. Notice the use of action verbs, concise sentences, and the overall appearance of the resume.
Education
If you received your degree in the last three years and especially if it relates to your target position, it should be placed near the top of the resume. Include your GPA if it is 3.0 or higher.
If you did not complete school, it should not be the first thing on your resume. Include the school name and your focus during school.
Technical Skills
Technical skills should be listed along with certificates obtained in skill-based training completed, such as Microsoft Word.
If you list Microsoft Office on your resume, make sure you are proficient in ALL Microsoft Office products. If there are varying levels of knowledge within a skill, list what level of training you've completed (i.e. Microsoft Word Intermediate).
Resume Writing Guidelines
Speak the Language
- Your Resume should help answer the question - "Why should I hire you?"
- Communicate the information necessary to evaluate your ability to do the job.
- Use language that is appropriate to the department/division.
- Know terms specific to the position. (i.e. A person interested in an HR position would likely be familiar with EEO laws, company policies and keywords that relate to Human Resources.)
- Be aware that extreme terminology may not speak to those who are between you and the ultimate hiring manager.
Use Concise Sentences
- Avoid large paragraphs. Use short sentences that provide small, digestible pieces of information.
- People remember what they see first and last, so place your least important information in the middle of your resume.
Use Action Verbs
| Achieved |
Added |
Consolidated |
| Coordinated |
Created |
Developed |
| Designed |
Directed |
Eliminated |
| Established |
Evaluated |
Expanded |
| Generated |
Identified |
Increased |
| Maintained |
Managed |
Negotiated |
| Organized |
Performed |
Planned |
| Provided |
Purchased |
Reduced |
| Saved |
Simplified |
Streamlined |
| Strengthened |
Structured |
Supervised |
| Trained |
Transformed |
Utilized |
| Verified |
Worked |
Wrote |
Spell Check
- Read, re-read and read again. Be sure to look for errors in punctuation, grammar and spelling. Relying on the software's spell-check feature may not result in accuracy.
- Give sufficient and accurate information. Assume your employers will check your sources for accuracy.
Neatness Counts
- Keep your resume from 1 to 2 pages, unless your job is of a highly scientific or technical nature.
- Print your resume on conventional white or off-white paper.
- Don't use fancy font styles; the most common types used are Arial and Times New Roman with a font size between 10 and 12.
- Use bullets, they help structure your resume.
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