A résumé is primarily your selling tool; it is an advertisement for you. Often, your résumé is all a potential employer has to decide if you’ll make it to the next step in the screening process. And, it’s possible that your résumé will be reviewed for no more than 20-30 seconds. That’s if you’re lucky! Creating a great first impression is vital. You need to capture their attention.

Think A-B-C when you create your résumé: Accurate, Brief and Clear. Employers don’t want to struggle to find information. Make your résumé easy to read. The paper and font styles you use, and the overall impression of your document will determine whether your résumé ends up in the “keep” or “toss” pile.

a. DO check for spelling errors, typos, poor grammar, and inconsistencies.

b. DO be honest about your knowledge, skills and experience.

c. DO make your résumé easy to read – create eye appeal.

d. DO read the job advertisement and apply only if you meet the requirements.

e. DON’T include personal information.

Contact information
This is the first section an employer sees. It includes your name and contact information.

Summary of skills
Since you want to customize your résumé for the position for which you are applying, list the sections.

Relevant work experience

This section is the heart of the résumé.
Types of Résumés:
i. Chronological résumé
ii. Functional or Skills-based résumé
iii. Combination résumé

Education and training
In most work opportunities, your education and training will be of keen interest.

What about job objectives and references?
How to handle objectives and references.

“Other” important information
Other information that may be relevant.

Résumés are scanned, read, and stored as text files. Find out how to make your résumé count with large companies that use this system.