1) Your resume should read and work like it is an "invitation to an interview." Make sure there is something interesting and inviting about your resume in the top 1/3 of the page. Most employers will not read beyond that if nothing matches their needs or curiosity.
2) Make two resumes. The first resume you make should include everything about you. It's your "laundry list" of job experience, education—include all certificates, seminars and training, and your skills—list all of your strengths. (This is the resume you keep. This resume will help you prepare for a job interview and you can bring it with you to refer to, so you don't have to worry about remembering all of the details.)
The second resume is the one you tailor to the jobs that you are applying for. Use only the best parts of your "laundry list" resume. Ideally, this resume should be one page long depending upon your job experience. (Two pages are okay if you're older and have more job experience. Three pages are even okay if you have more than 15 years job experience.)
Do not be tempted to make your text smaller to fit more on the page. The font size should be 12. Most resumes are faxed. Type/font sizes smaller than 12 are not readable. Unreadable resumes are thrown away immediately upon receipt.
3) Use bullets to emphasize a list of attributes such as things you did on a job to increase sales. Make your points short and easy to read. Use "white space." (White space means you should have at least one line of space between paragraphs. More space actually means it's easier and faster to read.)
4) Use your cover letter to emphasize why you are qualified for the job—don't put lengthy explanations on your resume. Although you use the cover letter to introduce yourself, explain why you are qualified for the job (often called a position), and ask them to reply/contact you—you need to keep the cover letter short and to the point as well. Three paragraphs is ideal.
5) Proofreading your cover letter and resume is essential! One of the best methods of proofreading is to read your cover letter and resume out loud. If you have trouble saying it, it probably needs rewriting to make the sentences less awkward.
Double check all of your dates by reading your resume from the back to the front. When you read from front to back, sometimes your mind will automatically put in words that are missing because you know what you meant to say.
When you think you are completely finished, then ask a friend or someone at the job center to read/review your resume. Don't be surprised if they find a typo or a mistake. (That's why you are asking them to help you.)
Good luck on your job search!
Ellen Wass Beckerman
Writer/Photographer/Graphic Designer
Photography portfolio: www.istockphoto.com/zmacgal
www.gardentextures.com
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