Writing a Resumé
A Resumé is quite simply an 'advert' to sell yourself to an employer. You should
send a Resumé to an employer when they ask for one in a job advert, or when you
are inquiring if any jobs are available.
So the purpose of your Resumé is to make
you attractive, interesting, worth considering to the company and so receive
a job interview.
Your Resumé is your best chance to convince a prospective employer that you are
the best person for the position. Because the employer may have several hundred
enquiries for the position he/she will only choose a few suitable people for
an interview.
So it is vital that your Resumé paints a clear picture of you and
that it highlights all aspects of your life and career that is of interested
to any future employer.
Bear in mind when constructing your Resumé that the decision maker/potential employer
will probably only spend 30-60 seconds reading your treasured life history -
which is not much time for you to market yourself.
A Resumé is designed to get you
an interview and a foot in the door, it is not to get you the job.
Where to start
Sit down with a piece of paper. Look at the job(s) that you are applying for.
Consider how your skills, education, and experience compare with the skills
that the job requires. How much information do you have about the job description?
Sometimes employers do not give enough information. Ask for more detail if needed.
Spend time researching detail about the job(s) that interest you and information
about the employer - their structure, products, successes, and approach - from:
Their own publicity, reports and publications
A library (business reports, trade papers)
School career office
Newspaper reports
The Internet
Gathering and organising the facts
Start working on your Resumé by collecting and reviewing information about yourself:
Previous positions, job duties, volunteer work, skills, accomplishments, education,
and activities. These are the raw materials of your Resumé.
This is also a good
time to review your career goals and to think about which past jobs you have
liked, and why.
After compiling this information, research the occupations that interest you.
Determine what duties they entail, what credentials they require, and what skills
they use.
Your Resumé will use your autobiographical information to show that you
meet an occupation’s requirements. Remember: Even if you do not have many
specialised and technical skills, most occupations also require abilities like
reliability, teamwork, and communication.
|
