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Are you frustrated with trying to write your own resume?

Are you bogged down with information overload or just where to begin?

You need a plan, a guide to assist you in writing your resume.

You need a resume outline!

When a person needs to build a house they use a blueprint. It contains all the information needed to construct it from the print.

When a person needs to write a resume they need to use an outline. The outline of a resume is the blueprint to resume writing success. It centralizes all of the information needed to write a resume making it easier to target them to specific job announcements.

Generally speaking the majority of resumes contain the same basic information as outlined below:

Outline of a Resume

Top of Page (usually centered)

Your name Home address Home phone number Cell phone number (or other contact #) Email address (make sure it is a professional email & not a nickname)

Objective Statement (optional)

The objective statement should be targeted to a specific job announcement for which you’re applying.

Example: Seeking a position as a Volunteer Coordinator for Mokena Humane Society

Qualification/Career Summary (optional, but I recommend using it with all resumes)

Over ten years experience in production management. Adept at meeting organizational objectives while meeting the needs of employees Proven ability to work efficiently and effectively under pressure

Education (list all relevant education)

Degrees (highest 1st) Certifications Training Work Experience/Employment History Current or most recent position Continue listing pertinent work experience

Activities & Associations

Organizations Associations Student government Community activities

Special Skills

Foreign language Typing Computer/Software any other skills that “fit” the specific job description

Honors & Awards (formal recognition you’ve received)

Professional Academic Community

Set aside at least 2 or more hours when writing your resume outline. Don’t forget to gather all the pertinent materials you’ll need such as current and past employment data, education information degrees/certifications, reference information (names, addresses, phone numbers), and any job announcements for which you plan to apply.

Spending the necessary time upfront will save you time in the long run. Your resume outline is the blueprint to success containing everything you need to fill-in-the-blanks of your resume regardless of the format (chronological, functional, or combination).

By: Jeff Melvin

About the Author:

If you have decided to create your resume on your own, but you are still unsure of how exactly to do it, then a resume maker may be just what you have been looking for.

There are several dozen free resume maker software titles available for you to choose from, such as HotJobs and Resume Builder, just to name a few.

Basically what you do is organize all of your information and simply fill in the blanks that the resume maker provides for you. Being organized and having your information typed out or written down before starting a free resume maker program, is key to getting the most out of the software program.

Start off with providing all of your personal information, including your name, street address, phone number, and email address. This will provide the resume maker with all of the information it needs so that the employer will be able to contact you from a glance.

Next, the free resume maker will ask you to provide a brief overview of your skills and talents. In this section, it is important to list crucial elements that will leave a good first impression. Make sure to include how your employer will benefit from having you work for their company. List your accomplishments and job experience that will show that you are an excellent prospect with a great deal of talent to offer. Please be sure to be clear and concise with your data.

The next section you will be entering your data into will be for your personal objectives. Here you will want to list and include specific on-the-job skills and experience, and any work related information that would apply to landing the position. For example, how many people you supervised and were in charge of, any budget management or fundraising, how much revenue in sales you were responsible for, and any other special work-related qualities you possess.

As you scroll through to the next section, which is the work history section, be sure to list past and present employers, their entire contact information and the length of time you were employed there.

As you tab through, you will come across an area to enter your educational background, be sure to list colleges, schools, and their contact information. Tabbing further, will be a section for volunteer experience, military experience, any special memberships or community activities, any certification, licenses obtained, job related training, also any special honors, or awards that would help you land the job.

Filling in the blanks is easy with a free resume maker and many find it as being an essential tool in helping them build the perfect resume.

By: Jay Tokarz

About the Author:

It’s important to get your point across quickly, particularly since many employers receive hundreds of applications for a single position opening. As harsh as it might sound, you may be passed over even if you meet all of the qualifications for a position-your skills and experience may not seem “relevant enough” for the job. A quick tip on how to look relevant: prepare your materials with your potential employer in mind. Try these tips to increase your relevance factor!

Resume

Print out your resume, fold it in half, and then open it back up. Think of the position you seek, and ask yourself the following question:

Am I providing a short summary of my most relevant skills and experience above the fold?

If not, consider reorganizing your resume as this will be equivalent to what your prospective employer sees on-screen.

Cover Letter

Review your material from the perspective of your potential employer. Imagine that the employer, has seven jobs to fill, and has just implemented a new advertising campaign to post positions. (This is a common scenario.)

- Does your letter include information on where you found the company?

- Do you state which position(s) you are interested in and how your experience fits the position requirements?

- Is it easy to tell why you are interested in the company?

- Does your letter make it easy to see your knowledge of the work that the company does?

Design your materials with the answers to these questions in mind-and watch your “relevance factor” increase with potential employers!

By: Chandlee Bryan

About the Author: