Visual Diner Blog

Tuesday, September 02, 2008

Posted by: Walter D. Joseph at 10:50 AM
Categorized in: Tips
Resume Design

As many of you prepare for graduation and your future careers it is essential that you prepare a very efficient and clean resume. I am certain you want your potential employer to see you for the structured, hard-working, intellectual you are. What better way to make that great first impression than through your resume?

Below are several strategies for developing a good resume:

• Keep it short – between one and two pages (if possible)
• Organization; make sure all spacing, heading and bullets are aligned.
• Tell the truth-honesty about your skills and work experiences are of most importance.
• Be pithy and use action words (developed, handled, planned, produced, etc) and phrases when describing your past or current experiences.
• Have someone you can trust review your resume for errors/typos.

Be sure to include your name, address, phone number, education, and work experience, even if your work experience may be the following:

• Lawn Care/Snow Removal
• Newspaper Delivery
• Volunteer Work
• College work-study
• Internships
• Co-Ops

I encourage you to include awards and honors you have received, and the contact information for your references.
Depending on the position, you might need to include a cover letter that states how you found out about the position, the reasons you are interested in the job, why your qualifications fit the position and why you want to work with the company.

Follow up by phone a few days after the employer has your resume to make sure everything is in order.

What are some other suggestions or recommendations to consider when developing a resume? What advice and tips would you pass along to others?

Below are the URLs to some example resumes; respond letting us know what was good or bad about a particular résumé.


Advertising Resume
http://www.vault.com/nr/main_article_detail.jsp?article_id=21860699&cat_id=0&ht_type=8

Graphic Design Resume
http://www.careerperfect.com/content/resume-examples/graphic-design-sample-resume/?var-feedback-vs-testimonials-seg-details=new-feedback--100&trk=1-20080902-48bd6db014467

Recent Graduate Resume
http://www.careerperfect.com/content/resume-examples/student-graduate-chemical-engineer-sample-resume/?var-feedback-vs-testimonials-seg-details=new-feedback--100&trk=1-20080902-48bd6db014467

Information Technology Resume
http://www.careerperfect.com/content/resume-examples/it-security-sample-resume/?var-feedback-vs-testimonials-seg-details=new-feedback--100&trk=1-20080902-48bd6db014467

4 Comments

1
 
No Avatar Selected
 
Rachel |  Tuesday September 02, 2008  at  11:12 AM
 

I am a recent graduate and had a very difficult time finding a job after I graduated.  I know for fact that my resume had so much to do with that fact.  Because once I created a new resume, I started to receive call backs, was invited to interview and now I have a full time job as a web developer.  One thing I would add to the list of strategies is to include a picture of yourself on the resume or to include a little about your personal interests and hobbies.  A lot of companies like to know what theri employees enjoy doing when they are not at work.

2
 
No Avatar Selected
 
Jennifer |  Thursday September 04, 2008  at  07:47 AM
 

I am working on a resume at the moment and did not think to include my past job experience; i assumed it would be irrelevant.  I guess i will have to add it.  I have a question.  How much of my educational history should i include on my resume? Thanks.

3
 
No Avatar Selected
 
Rita |  Thursday September 04, 2008  at  09:13 AM
 

I recently got a job and was told by my employer that i was hired because I put together a really good resume.  In fact, my resume was so good that I applied for one job and was offered a better position simply based on my resume alone.  Take the advice from this post; a good resume is very important when job searching!

4
 
 
Walter D. Joseph |  Thursday September 04, 2008  at  03:04 PM
 

Rita, I am not surprised that your resume alone got you a better position than the one you were applying for.  The resume is very essential in the job hunting process.  Especially in these days when the market is flooded with highly qualified young adults.  Your resume is truly your employers’ first impression of you as an employee, manager, and administrator.

Page 1 of 1 pages





Smileys

Remember my personal information

Notify me of follow-up comments?

Submit the word you see below: