How To Write a Resume

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Want to get yourself out of a bad situation and into a better one? A solid resume is the first step.

You Will Need

A computer
A printer

Step 1: Write name in bold w/ info

Write your name in bold at the top of the page, followed by your address, phone numbers, and email address. Then center the whole thing.

It also helps to make your heading slightly bigger than the rest of your resume so it stands out at the top of the page.

Step 2: List work history

List your work history, starting with your most recent position. Include the place of employment, the dates you were employed there, and the type of job you performed.

If it’s your job titles that are impressive, lead with them in bold. If the places you worked are more impressive than what you actually did there, bold them instead.

Step 3: Summarize positions

Give a brief summary of what you did at each position.

Step 4: Adjust to job description

Look closely at the description of the job you’re applying for, and adjust what you’ve written to emphasize your most relevant skills and experience.

If you’re not applying for a specific job, use an “Objective” line to describe what kind of work you’re looking for and why you want it.

Step 5: Leave spaces

Leave at last three spaces between job summations so your resume is easy to read—even if that means shortening some sections.

Step 6: List education

When you’re done listing former jobs, list your education, including the school you graduated from and the degree you earned there.

Step 7: List personal information

After your education, list any personal information—like hobbies, interests, or skills—that pertain to the job you’re seeking. But leave out the stupid stuff—if you’re applying for a job as a mortician, nobody cares if you can juggle.

The most relevant skills to include are proficiency in a foreign language and knowledge of a specific computer application or platform.

Step 8: Offer references

Always offer to make “references available upon request” at the end of your resume. It’s classy—and if you actually have them, it’s even better.

Step 9: Spell-check your work

Be sure to spell-check your work, and ask a friend to look it over before you print it out.

Step 10: Print resume

When your resume is letter-perfect, print it out on the “special” paper of your choice.

On average, for every 200 resumes reviewed, only one interview is granted.

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