Bridge Personnel Services - Resume Writing Tips

Drafting a
Winning Resume

Remember that your job search all starts with the resume. Your resume is a direct reflection of you and what you can offer to a prospective employer. The purpose of a resume is to generate interest in you and an opportunity for an interview.

Here are some tips in writing a successful resume:

Organize Your Resume — Suggested Layout		Top Section — Include your name, address, phone number and email address. Career Objective — Tell the reader what type of position and responsibilities you are searching for in your new career. Be specific – the reader has a specific position to fill and they want someone who precisely fits their needs. Summary of Qualifications — three to five lines that present an overview of your experience, accomplishments, talents, work habits and skills. Job Experience — Start with your most recent position, clearly state your job title, the company’s name, the month/year in which you started and the month/year in which you ended. List Education – Clearly state the name of the educational institution, the month/year in which you started and month/year in which you ended. Clearly state the degree obtained and the year you graduated. At a minimum, state the year your high school diploma or GED was obtained.
Sell Yourself – Highlight your accomplishments		Many resumes simply list the responsibilities of the position without any indication of performance. Don’t leave the reader with the question of “How well did you do?” Answer it.
Be Concise and Easy to Read		Remember, the reader is going through many resumes and will be “scanning” as well as reading. A well-crafted resume will be 1 page long, and at most 2 pages, for higher-level positions.
Be Relevant		Only include work-related information. Do not include personal information such as your hobbies, religious affiliation, marital status, etc.
Stay Recent		Your work history should include 10 to 15 years of experience. List at least two positions. Make sure to list different positions held at the same company, it reflects your success and ability to take on additional responsibilities.
Be Truthful		Always tell the truth about yourself, your education and your professional experience. Many employers are checking credentials via work references, education verifications and background checks. If the integrity of your resume is questioned, it will hinder your job search tremendously.
Be Prepared for Reference Requests		Do not submit references with your resume, however make sure the references you will use correspond to the professional experience listed on the resume.
Proofread & Spell Check		Spelling and grammar errors make a terrible impression — that you don’t care enough to pay attention to details. Use spell check and proofread carefully.