Writing Your Resume

Now that you have gathered all of the information for each of the sections of your resume, it’s time to write out each section in a way that will get the attention of whoever is reviewing it. The type of language you use in your resume will affect its success. You want to take the information you have gathered and translate it into a language that will cause a potential employer to sit up and take notice.
Resume writing is not like expository writing or creative writing. It embodies a functional, direct writing style and focuses on the use of action words. By using action words in your writing, you more effectively stress past accomplishments. Action words demonstrate your initiative and highlight your talents. Always use verbs that show strength and reflect the qualities of a “doer.” By using action words, you characterize yourself as a person who takes action, and this will impress potential employers.
The following is a list of verbs commonly used in resume writing. Use this list to choose the action words that can help your resume become a strong one.

Administered Advised Analyzed Arranged Assembled Assumed responsibility Compiled Completed Conducted Contacted Contracted Coordinated Counseled Created Cut Designed Determined Developed Directed Dispatched Distributed Documented Established Expanded Functioned as Gathered Handled Hired Implemented Improved Inspected Interviewed Introduced Invented Sold Suggested Supervised Taught reviewed saved screened served as served on billed tested Edited built carried channeled collected communicated maintained managed met with motivated negotiated operated orchestrated

Now take a look at the information you put down on the work experience worksheets. Take that information and rewrite it in paragraph form, using verbs to highlight your actions and accomplishments. Let’s look at an example, remembering that what matters here is the writing style, and not the particular job responsibilities given in our sample.

WORK EXPERIENCE

Regional Sales Manager

Manager of sales representative from seven states. Responsible for 12 food chain accounts in the East. In charge of directing the sales force in planned selling toward specific goals. Supervisor and trainer of new sales representatives. Consulting for customers in the areas of inventory management and quality control.

Special Projects: Coordinator and sponsor of annual food industry sales seminar.

Accomplishments: Monthly regional volume went up 25 percent during my tenure while, at the same time, a proper sales/cost ratio was maintained. Customer/company relations improved significantly.

Below is the rewritten version of this information, using action words. Notice how much strong it sounds.

Public Administrator /

Responsibilities: Coordinate and directed public service to meet the needs of the nation, state, or community. Analyze problems; work with special committees and public agencies; recommend solutions to governing bodies.

Aptitudes and Skills: Ability to relate to and communicate with people; solve complex problems through analysis; plan, organize, and implement policies and programs. Knowledge of political systems; financial management; personnel administration; program evaluation; organizational theory.

Assembly and Layout

At this point, you’ve gathered all the necessary information for
your resume, and you’ve rewritten it using the language necessary
to impress potential employers. Your next step is to assemble these
elements in a logical order and lay them out on the page neatly and
attractively to achieve the desired effect: getting that interview.

Assembly

The order of the element in a resume makes a different in its overall effect. Obviously, you would not want to put your name and address in the middle of the resume or your special skills section at the top. You want to put the elements in an order that stresses your most important achievements, not the less pertinent information. For example, if you
recently graduated from school and have no full-time work experience, you will want to list your education before you list any part-time jobs you may have held during school. On the other hand, if you have been gainfully employed for several years and currently hold an important position in your company, you will want to list your work experience
ahead of your education, which has become less pertinent with time. There are some elements that are always included in your resume and some that are optional. Following is a list of essential and optional elements:

Essential Name Address Phone Number Work Experience Education Reference Phrase Essential Job Objective Honors Special Skills Professional Memberships Activities Certificates and Licenses

Layout

Once you have decided which elements to include in your resume and you have arranged them in an order that makes sense and emphasizes your achievements and abilities, then it is time to work on the physical layout of your resume.
There is no single appropriate layout that applies to every resume, but there are a few basic rules to follow in putting your resume on paper:

1. Leave a comfortable margin on the sides, top, and bottom of the page (usually 1 to 1½ inches).
2. Use appropriate spacing between the sections (usually 2 to 3 line spaces are adequate).
3. Be consistent in the type of headings you use for the different sections of your resume. For example, if you capitalize the heading EMPLOYMENT HISTORY, don’t use initial capitals and underlining for a heading of equal importance, such as Education.
Sample