subject: Points to Look at when Reviewing your Resume [print this page] Points to Look at when Reviewing your Resume
You have finished your resume . Now it's time to take a final look at all its separate parts before asking a friend or relative to check it over. Do you have everything you need in the correct order?
Here is a brief list of the main sections, the order they should go in and brief notes on each:
Heading
While the word "heading" will not occur in your resume, the next set of words in bold will.
The heading is like a letterhead. It should have your name, address, phone numbers and email address. You might make your name in a slightly larger text and in bold. The rest should be the font size of the resume.
If you list a home number and a cell number, you can use the letters "hm" and "c" in front of the number. You can choose to put dashes or dots between the sets of numbers.
OBJECTIVE
This tells the employers the job you are seeking. They won't want to take the time to guess. If applying for a specific job, use the Job Title and/or the posting number in the job description.
SUMMARY
This goes at the top of the resume. Here you list your skills and power statements to match the job you are applying for. Also you want to put your computer program skills in this area, spelled correctly.
PROFESSIONAL HIGHLIGHTS
This is where you catalog your work history. Include dates and power verb statements without saying "I", "me", or "my". These words are understood. Quantify your results. What was the challenge the company faced? What action did you take? What were the results in terms of percentages, dollar amounts or time frames.
EDUCATION
If newly graduated, put the information at the top of the resume. Otherwise, education goes near the bottom. Include the highest level of education first whether this is college or high school.
List college giving brief information of the level, kind and area of degree(s) you attained and name the college, location and date. For example: Bachelor of Business Administration, Major: Marketing, University of Texas at Arlington 2003.
For seminars or certificates earned, add these after a block on ContinuingEducation. Be sure to only include those that will aid in your particular job search area.
So how does your resume look? If you are satisfied with it, show it to trusted friends and family. Ask for their input in the looks as well as the information. Someone might remember something you did that you forgot to add. The help of others in getting your resume ready to send is essential.
