Section A.

I.   The Resume 

 The first, and most important, step in preparing to get a job is creating a simple resume.  But just what is a resume and how do you create one?

 A resume tells a prospective employer the basics of what he or she needs to know about you when considering you for a job with their company.  It is a brief summary about yourself that tells the prospective employer who you are and what you can do.  This is your opportunity to “showcase” your abilities!

 A resume also shows an employer that you have put forth some effort in seeking a job and, therefore, are motivated.  Since the employer does not know you and has never met you, your resume is the first contact that he or she has with you and presents an opportunity for you to put your “best foot forward”.  It is, therefore, important that your resume make a positive impression on the employer. 

 A resume will often be accepted in place of filling out a job application.  However, there are still employers who require you to fill out their own specific job application even if you have a resume.  If this is the case, your resume will be an invaluable tool in providing you with the information necessary to complete the job application.  You can provide the employer your resume in addition to the filled out application.  A sample job application has been provided at the back of this book.  Copy it several times and practice filling it out, in black or blue ink pen.  Be sure you spell all words correctly and be as neat and clear as possible. Practice, practice, practice for a more polished look!

 Don’t worry if you do not have a lot of work-related information to put on your resume.  After all, this is your first job so you will not be expected to have a lot of experience.  This book will show you how to use whatever skills and experience you do have, along with other bits of information, to create a neat, clean resume that will have a positive impact.  Again, there are several actual example resumes at the end of this book which can easily be used to adapt to your own individual situation.

 Your resume will provide the employer with the following information:

 Ø Contact information

Ø Objective

Ø Experience / skills

Ø Education

Ø Special honors & awards OR Special Interests

 In the following pages this book will take you through each of these areas of information, one by one, and provide you with a full explanation, along with examples, for you to use in writing your own resume.  It is important to just keep it simple: showcase your abilities but do not overstate or overdo.  When writing a resume stick to the basic information that is critical for the employer to know.  Concise and to-the-point is preferred over lengthy and overdone.  The employer is looking to get “just a taste” in your resume.  You will get an opportunity to explain and/or add to this information during the actual job interview.  Too much information in the resume will only serve to overwhelm the employer and make your resume harder to read.  

 Keep in mind that this resume may be your first one but it will be invaluable when you are ready to look for full-time permanent employment later since the information contained in this resume can be easily revised and updated at any time.

 Your resume should be no longer than one page.  It should be typewritten in a plain, easy-to-read font, (nothing fancy) and in a font no smaller than 11 or 12 points.  And, most importantly, don’t forget to spellcheck!!  You can have the best looking resume around but if there are typos in it, it will not be of much value to you in getting a job.

 So let’s write a resume…..