Writing a resume

Writing a resume in English can be very different than in your native language.

- First, take notes on your work experience - paid and unpaid, full time and part time. Write down your responsibilities, job title and company information. Include everything!

- Take notes on your education. Include degree or certificates, school names and courses, relevant to career objectives.

- Take notes on other accomplishments. Include membership in organizations, military service and any other special accomplishments.

- Begin your resume by writing your full name, address, telephone number, fax and email at the top of the resume.

| - Write an objective. The objective is a short sentence describing what type of work you hope to obtain.

- Begin work experience with your most recent job. Include the company specifics and your responsibilities.

- Include other relevant information such as languages spoken, computer programming knowledge, etc. under the heading: Additional Skills

- Finish with the phrase: REFERENCES AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST

Your resume should ideally not be longer than one page, but two pages are also acceptable.

What You Need: paper, a typewriter or a computer, a dictionary, past employers’ addresses

Text 5

RESUME

An application package to any position consists of a resume and a cover letter. Although the resume should give a lot of information about you, you need to determine your main “selling points” and then to select and order facts in a way that will impress your reader. Here are some guidelines:

§ Match your skills and experience to the needs of the organization.

§ Stress what sets you apart from the crowd.

§ Remember that the primary aim is to rouse the employer’s interest, not to provide a biography.

Your resume should include enough information about you for the employer to feel that you are worth interviewing. Here is the list of the most common kinds of resume information. Be prepared to omit, add, or alter according to the job.