Resume Do's and Don'ts

Your resume is your "60 Second" commercial, telling an employer about your work and educational background in synopsis form. It is the first thing an employer sees. It is what makes them want to bring you in for an interview. For a great resume, use the following suggestions below:

To begin writing your resume, let's begin by determining the skills needed for your new job. Go back and look in the following publications:
O*Net (the Occupational Information Network) is online and a replacement for the US Department of Labor's Dictionary of Occupational Titles (DOT). Click on "O*Net Online" section.
The Occupational Outlook Handbook can also help you get a glimpse of what is needed in your position.
You can also go online to the professional association in your field. Some have publications which detail skills needed for that area.
With the skills needed for your new job, you will begin gearing or tailoring your resume to it. Ask yourself: What would an employer in my new company want me to have in terms of skills, training/education and work experience?

Put a great deal of thought into your resume. If you want a $80,000 job, write an "$80,000 resume."

Put yourself in the place of the employer. Ask yourself what he/she would want in an employee in terms of skills, and education/training?

Show what you have done for your present or former employer by explaining your accomplishments.

Make him/her think you will do the same for his/her company.

If you are sending your resume by mail, make sure you copy onto the finest of paper. Try linen or 100% bond. Don't get fancy with colored papers or too artistic-looking resumes.

Do your resume over and over until it is outstanding. If you can't do it yourself, get professional help.