When you are creating your resume, you need to think about what skills and abilities you have. Next, you’ll want to take out a fresh sheet of paper and make a column on the left hand side, numbered 1 – 10. On each line, write one of your skills, followed by the amount of time (months/years) that you’ve been using it. (Don’t worry about the order of these entries: for the time being, your task is to just get something down on paper.)
This simple exercise will assist you when it comes to creating a compelling resume that paints a picture of who you are and what you can do. For each of your positions, try to answer the question “what did I particularly like about this job and what did I accomplish while working for that company?” Think about what strengths you have in the technical area as well as in the non-technical area.
Perhaps you have taken specialized courses since graduating from high school or college. If so, they will go at the very bottom of your resume after your first position. (Remember that you are writing this in chronological order, which means that you will start with the job you currently hold and work backwards.)
On the other side of the same piece of paper, write down your desired position criteria, i.e. what exactly are looking to do in your next position? What are your short and long term goals? How much would you like to make for a salary, and more importantly, can you justify that salary?
What size company would you like to work for? Would you prefer a non-profit, government or consulting agency atmosphere, or would a ‘mom-and-pop’ environment suit you better?
Once you have answered the above questions, start writing down the positions you’ve held and your responsibilities in each. As a general rule, you current position would be allocated greater importance--and hence would take up more space on the page--than would your first position.
Don’t forget, too, that employers like diversity. For this reason, you will want to mention any volunteer activities or charitable causes for which you have worked, as well as any memberships in civic associations or professional societies. When preparing your resume, be mindful of the fact that a well-rounded employee is much more valuable and desirable than one who has only one or two areas of interest. The former also tends to command more money and be promoted more quickly.
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