How to write a resume

Teach: How to write a resume

What to say

A resume that gets interviews fits on one page for most people with under ten years of work, puts your contact details at the top, and lists each job with three or four lines that start with a strong verb and end with a result. Match its words to the job posting, save it as a PDF, and have someone else proofread it before you send it anywhere.

What to show, in order

1. Put your name, phone, email and city at the top; leave off your full address and a photo.
2. Add a two-line summary only if you are changing fields or it helps explain your story.
3. List jobs newest first, with title, employer, city and dates.
4. Under each job, write three or four lines that start with a verb and end with a result: cut delivery errors by a third by building a checklist.
5. Add numbers wherever you honestly can: people trained, customers served, money or time saved.
6. Add a short skills line with tools, licenses and certifications the job asks for.
7. Put education last unless you are a recent graduate, and add relevant training.
8. Tailor the words to each job posting, save as a PDF named with your name, and have someone proofread it.

The check question

Ask: Which bullet is stronger? Answer: Cut stock errors by a third by building a weekly count checklist

From EveryManSkills. General information, not professional advice.