Creating a Winning Resume

The five main steps in preparing a resume are:

1. Plan
Consider your audience (the people who will be receiving your resume) and your purpose (the message you need to communicate to get a job interview).

2. Organize
Outline the information you want to put in your resume, then determine the format you will be using and organize the information accordingly.

3. Create
Write a first draft of your resume.

4. Revise
Critique the resume and revise accordingly. This is a good time to get a second opinion from a Kelly staff member or someone whose business judgement you trust.

5. Review
Proofread your resume at least twice. Then ask two other people to proof it. Typos on a resume may eliminate you from consideration.

The following guidelines will help you design a resume that effectively communicates your capabilities.

Keep it short and simple. The purpose of a resume is to get you the interview and serve as a starting point for discussion. Don't attempt to put every detail of your work history and qualifications in the resume. In most cases, one page is appropriate.

Use lists or very brief paragraphs and avoid unnecessary words.

Begin each paragraph with a verb (action word).

Include the following information in your resume:

Objective — the position you are seeking in specific terms. This is optional, especially for a temporary position, but it will help a busy interviewer determine where you fit. You may want to keep your objective somewhat broad and general so as not to limit consideration for positions that don't match a specific objective.

Skills and Abilities — what you can do for a company (e.g., software proficiency, professional skills).

Experience — beginning with your most recent position and working backward. Include your accomplishments, scope of the position, job duties and responsibilities.

Education and Training — usually placed at the end of the resume; however, if you are a recent college graduate with little applicable work experience, you may want to highlight your education by placing it at the beginning of your resume.

Photos or Personal Information — e.g., your age, race, religion, physical condition, marital status. It is illegal for employers to make hiring decisions on the basis of such factors; therefore, having them in your resume is inappropriate.

Salary Requirements — which could limit you to a lower salary or eliminate you from consideration. You should discuss salary only with your Kelly supervisor.

References — which are usually conducted by your Kelly supervisor. A summary of the results will then be offered to our customer.

Use a chronological format if you want to highlight your employment history. This is the most commonly used format. Choose the functional format if you prefer to highlight your experience and accomplishments. The functional format is particularly good if you do not have a strong work history that relates directly to the position you are seeking.

Leave plenty of white space. Your resume should not appear crowded.

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