Writing a resume

Following are some handy hints that will help you prepare an effective Resume.

1. Resume Essentials
Before you write, take time to do a self-assessment on paper. Outline your skills and abilities as well as your work experience and extracurricular activities. This will make it easier to prepare a thorough resume.

2. The Content of Your Resume
Section One - Contact Information

  • All your contact information should go at the top of your resume (Name, address, telephone number(s)
  • Avoid nicknames
  • Use a permanent telephone number and include the area code. If you have an answering machine, record a neutral greeting
  • Add your e-mail address (make sure you have an email address that sounds professional)

Section Two - Objective/Summary

  • An objective tells potential employers the sort of work you're hoping to do, not the jobs you have done.
  • Be specific about the job you want. For example: To obtain an entry-level position within a financial institution requiring strong analytical and organisational skills
  • Tailor your objective to every job you seek

Section Three- Work Experience

  • Briefly overview your previous work history, highlighting duties that have taught you specific skills. Use action words to describe your job duties. Include your work experience in reverse chronological order, that is, put your last job first and work backward to your first relevant job. Include:
  • Dates (include the month you started/finished) of employment
  • Name of organisation
  • Position Title
  • Location of work (town, state)
  • Describe your work responsibilities with emphasis on specific skills, competencies and achievements

Section Four- Education

  • Your most recent educational information is listed first.
  • Mention academic honours

Section Five - References

Ensure that you ask your previous employer's permission before you give their names to a potential employer. On your resume, include:

  • Referee's Name
  • Referee's Title, name of the organisation, and if applicable, the referee's relationship to you
  • Contact information for referee - telephone and email

3. Resume Design
Now that you've written your resume, it's time to review and edit for errors.

  • Run a spell check on your computer before anyone sees your resume
  • Get a friend or colleague to do a grammar review
  • Ask another friend to proof-read. The more people who see your resume, the more likely that misspelled words and awkward phrases will be seen (and corrected)
  • Use white, A4 paper
  • Limit your resume to 4-pages maximum
  • Print on one side of the paper
  • Use a font size of 10 to 12 points, and use non-decorative typefaces
  • Choose one typeface and stick to it
  • Avoid using photographs
  • always tell the truth but keep your text succinct and precise
  • If you must mail your resume, put it in a large (A4) envelope