Resumes

Resumes are pertinent in any job search and should be composed carefully because they are generally the first and only contact between an employer and a candidate before an interview. There are four different resume formats to choose from, depending on a job seeker’s current situation or qualifications.  The three most common formats include chronological, or timeline, functional, which highlights skills and experience, and the combination, which combines elements of the functional format arranged in chronological order.  The final and less common resume format is the curriculum vitae (CV).  This document is more complex and includes a number of skills, duties, and experiences that are omitted in the aforementioned formats.  Candidates should search for resumes and examples to get ideas for their resume before composing. 

Depending on the company there may be various options a candidate has when submitting their resume including postal mail, hand delivery, email, or via online job boards.  Candidates must have the proper version of their resume for each service.  Formatted and scan-able resumes are ideal for hand delivery and postal mail, because they offer a polished and professional look to applicants’ data.  Online services, including job boards and employers’ email, require candidates to post resumes in plain text style.  Resumes posted to these locations are formatted so that employers with varying software are capable of viewing these documents.  Ninety-eight percent of organizations accept plain text, so candidates with this document find it easy to post a resume. 

Employers who search resumes look for candidate identification, education, and work history.  There are numerous other sections such as skills, references, military experience, certifications, licensure, etc. that may be included, but are not always necessary.  A candidate should research carefully before deciding on a resume type, or information to be included. 

A few do’s and do not’s for a resume are as follows:

Do:

• Describe accomplishments and not responsibilities
• Limit your resume to the scope of the last 10-15 years
• Draft your resume first and revise multiple times before reaching a final document
• Use a computer or word processor for creating resume, and print on a ink-jet,  laser, or letter-quality printer
• Use boldface italics sparingly
• Print your resume on high quality paper
• Have others review your final copy to ensure absolutely no errors
• Use dollar figures, numbers, and percentages whenever possible
   

Do Not:

• Include personal statistics (height, weight, marital status, health, parenthood status)
• Include references or write “available upon request”
• Include hobbies or interests unless they directly support your objective
• Label your resume with the word resume
• Write complete sentences
• Mix typefaces, unless you are a trained graphic designer
• Use “I” or pronouns

For more information on how to compose a resume or view sample resumes, please visit the following sites:

• University of Kentucky
• Brilliant Resumes
• 100 Percent Resumes
• Best Impression
• Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

When you are ready to put your resume to use, visit iHireJobNetwork to post your resume on any one of our niche sites.