Resumes and CVs - How to write a resume

When you apply for a job, you will use your summarising and writing
skills to prepare an effective resume and cover letter. You will use
your resume and cover letter to introduce yourself to potential
employers.
The resume (or CV) is a brief (usually one-page) record or summary of
your experience (that is, your personal background) and your
qualifications for a job. The resume gets you the interview, not the
job.

As for employers, when you give them a resume, they look for an obvious
and persuasive answer to this question: What can you do for us? They
expect a resume:

• to look good (conservative and tasteful, on high-quality paper)
• to read easily (headings, typeface, spacing, and punctuation that provide clear signals), and
• to provide information the employer needs to make an interviewing decision

Personal information

Provide only
what is necessary: name, present address, permanent address, phone
numbers, and email address (if any). Add your age, marital status, and
condition of health only if you know they are relevant to the job you
want.

Career Objective

Include a statement of your career goals. Don’t be too specific or too general.

Educational background

Include the
date and institutions of your education after high school, in
chronological order with most recent first. Also, list your academic
major or areas of concentration.

Work Experience

Do this in
chronological order with most recent first. Try not to leave gaps of
time, be generous with the dates. Your job history should give an
employer a sense of your experience, qualifications and dependability.
You can also include positions held in university.

Special Skills

Include any ability
or award received that makes you a suitable applicant (foreign
language, ability to operate equipment, etc.). Mention any awards you
received for outstanding performance. List dates and types of volunteer
work. Also include personal interests and sports. The employer wants to
see in this section that you are an independent person, a team player,
and always makes good use of your time.

References

List them only if you
are asked to, otherwise indicate that they will be available upon
request. References can be previous employers, or prominent members of
the community, never relatives. Always give the name, position and
phone number.