Help with Resume

An attractive, professionally done résumé must have clarity and organization. The format must be attention-grabbing, and your strengths should be stressed. Use these tips to help create a winning résumé.

• Identify what you want to accomplish with your résumé. What kind of job or internship are you applying for? What are the qualifications needed?

• Assemble a portfolio or list of your accomplishments: your education, experiences, special skills, and achievements. Keep this information handy as you tweak your résumé to fit different job applications.

• Organize your accomplishments into clear categories. Use bullets to list and briefly explain each item. Include key words from the job description you are applying for, and use action words such as achieved, managed, motivated, performed, produced, reduced, researched, edited, increased, and updated when describing your accomplishments.

• Get rid of clutter. List the most relevant items first in your résumé and eliminate negative or extraneous points.

• Use clear, unpretentious font and striking but professional layout design. Make the résumé attractive at first glance and impressive in the details.

• Examine sample professional résumés, and adjust yours as needed.

• Get an outside opinion by having a friend look over your résumé and give you tips for improvement.