Resume

• Action Words

  Liven up your resume with action words describing your experience. Begin sentences with verbs and write phrases such as “Developed accounting software” or “Organized ad campaigns for national corporations.”

• Beware of attachments

  When e-mailing your resume and cover letter to recruiters, beware of attachments. You can never be sure the recipients will have the required software program. Even if they do, they often find opening files to be a time-consuming hassle. Instead, include your cover letter and resume as text in the body of an e-mail.

• Brevity

  Be proud of your accomplishments, but when writing a resume keep them on one page. Describe previous jobs with one or two sentences. Your resume should spark the interest of the employer; you can give them more details later in the interview.

• Buzz words

  When describing your accomplishments in resumes and cover letters, use jargon that is required on the job. Marketers can mention about the four ‘P’s’ and computer technicians should mention the latest hardware. This shows that you know the business.

• e-Applicants

  Some employers now accept resumes by e-mail. When writing to an employer this way, make sure the accompanying message is a formal cover letter. Only send a resume written in a widely available word processing program to ensure the employer can open it. If your e-mail program attaches a signature (contact information or a quote) at the bottom of each e-mail, make sure it is appropriate for potential employers to read.

  One way to reach employers is to post your resume on a personal Web site. A simple design is best for online resumes - one column, a plain font and no italics. If your college or past employers have web pages, link them to your resume. Be sure to include your e-mail address so employers can get in touch with you.

• Give references

  You don’t have to list your references on your resume, but have the names and phone numbers of your references with you at the interview in case the employer asks for them. One work-related reference and one character reference should suffice.

• Highlight your skills

  Many employers today are looking for applicants with computer and Internet skills, even if the job is not in one of those fields. You can stand out from the crowd by listing your high tech skills, such as software programs you use and computer languages you understand.

• Organize your resume

  When writing your resume, decide whether your education or experience is more impressive and put that at the top. Recent college graduates might not have much experience and should highlight their degree and relevant coursework. Professionals will want to highlight their years of accomplishments in the working world.

• Resume design

  The format of your resume is important. It must be easy to read with a simple font and no graphics. Make sure the margins are aligned and the “Experience,” “Education” and “Skills” categories are easy to find.

• Resume paper

  Printing your resume on color paper will draw attention to it. Ivory and gray are good, professional choices. Fluorescent pink and electric blue resumes will make you stand out too, especially in the employer’s recycle bin.

• Triple check

  While weeding through hundreds of resumes, employers will immediately discard any with spelling and grammatical errors. Double check your resume for mistakes and have a trusted friend proofread it, too.

• Update your resume often

  If you’ve learned a new skill or are assigned a new task add it to your resume.