Resume Writing Guide

If you're looking for a new job, or just want to improve an existing resume, we think this resume writing guide can help.  Writing a resume is a pretty important activity from a career standpoint, but it's not something that we'd call fun.  That being said, here is our guide to making the process of writing a resume go a bit faster.

Essential Steps in Writing a Resume

Before you put pen to paper, or more likely fingers to a keyboard, you need to go through a systematic check to make the process of writing a resume more efficient.  The big mistake that most people make is to sit down and just start typing away; hoping that the finished resume is a good one.  Individuals starting out this way soon come to realize that they are spending a lot of time thinking about what to include and how to organize that information to make a good resume.

That is not a very efficient way to go about writing a resume, so here is our step-by-step guide.  By following these steps, you should come out with a good resume.  And what we are calling a "good resume" is simply a resume that is effective in getting the response you're seeking.

Resume Formats

The first step involves a decision on a resume format.  The best way to do this is to examine the pros and cons of each of the three most common resume formats.  Then figure out which format would highlight your career accomplishments and deemphasize any shortcomings.

Chronological Resume Format

The chronological resume format is the most commonly used resume format today.  It is a good format if you don't have any employment gaps in your work history, since it emphasizes your career timeline by listing your prior employment in reverse chronological order. For more information on this format, see our complete article on the Chronological Resume.

Functional Resume Format

The functional resume format is a good choice if you are new to the workforce or are looking for a career change.  With this format, you put your achievements right up front.  One big drawback of using this format is that many potential employers or hiring managers like to see your employment history on the resume.  This information does not appear on a functional resume, so they may be uncomfortable with this format.  For more information on when to use this format, check out our article on the Functional Resume.

Combination Resume Format

The combination resume format starts out with a functional approach, and finishes up with a chronological style.  It is the most effective resume format when it comes to marketing your services.  It has some shortcomings too, so take a look at a full explanation in Combination Resume Format.

Resume Writing Samples

Now that you've matched your work history, job seeking goals, and selected the most marketable resume format, the next step in this resume writing guide is to sit down and start to write your resume.

Sometimes people experience a form of writer's block when it comes to resume writing.  To help you get started, we've already put together resume samples for each of the three styles mentioned above.  There are several complete Resume Writing Samples that follow this guide and you can download samples of each format.

If you want to have a greater understanding of each part of a resume, then you need to take a look at our publication Resume Template.  In that article, you will find detailed descriptions for each of the sections you will encounter in any of the three resume formats mentioned above.

Polishing a Resume

Now that you've written your resume, it is time to begin polishing it up.  This is the final step in this resume writing guide.  It's also one that's often overlooked.

One action you can take to polish up a resume is to use power words.  We call them resume power words, because they can supply the added punch that's needed to get your resume noticed.  In fact, our article on resume power words contains over 300 words to choose from, plus examples of how to use these words to make your resume more effective.

After you're satisfied with the information and wording on your resume, the next step you need to take is to make sure you run a spell check on the document.  This might sound obvious, but we still see resumes with spelling errors on them.  Most modern word processors have this feature, so use it.

Proofreading a Resume

Once you think the resume is polished, you have to find at least two people that you trust will give you honest feedback on your resume.  These individuals need to proofread the document.  Don't ask them to critique the format you've chosen, just ask them to check for errors or provide feedback on something you might have missed.  Make sure at least one of these persons is a good writer, or is someone you can trust to quickly recognize grammatical mistakes.

After you've made all the corrections to your resume, it is time to print it out.  Even today, you need to stick with the old standards.  Use white or off-white paper that is 8.5 x 11 inches.  Black print on white paper has the best contrast, and is easy on the reader's eye.

Printing a Final Resume

Finally, while it might seem frugal to print on both sides of the paper, don't do it.  Don't be afraid to use more than one page for a resume either, and don't use mouse print.  Use fonts in the 10 to 14 point range, using the larger fonts to highlight important sections of the resume.  Pick one font style and stick to it.  The recommended fonts include Arial and Times New Roman.  You can use bold fonts sparingly, but try to stay away from italics or other decorative styles.

If you follow the steps in this guide, then you should be able to produce a professional quality resume in a minimum of time.  You won't be updating your resume too often, so make sure your resume reflects the same high quality and standards as the professional services you have to offer.

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