When it comes to applying for a job, nothing will make you stand out more than your resume. Typically your resume is the first thing that employers see after you’ve applied for a job, and therefore it’s also your first impression. As they say, first impressions always last, so it is imperative that your resume sells what you have to offer.
According to the Virginia Tech Career Site, a resume is “a brief, concise document that presents and effectively sells your most relevant and positive credentials for employment.” Stressing the brief/concise element, an employer may only look at your resume for 15-20 seconds, at which point they will not decide if you get the job, but if you get the opportunity to interview.
So now that you know what a resume is, where do you start? In the typical chronological format, there are five basic sections to include on your resume, as well as some additional sections depending on your field, level of experience, etc. The five basic sections are listed as follows:
- Heading - in this section include your full name, phone number, mailing address, and email address
- Objective - use a single sentence expressing your career goal (Note: Some companies prefer this to be as specific as naming the exact company and position you are applying to)
- Education - include your degree, school(s) attended, location, completion date, and major(s)/minor(s) (See here for optional GPA)
- Employment - list the company, location, your title, dates of employment, and a list of accomplishments/job tasks
- Skills - list your skills as they relate to your career goal, including software programs, computer skills, foreign languages, etc. (more…)
