Job Tips: How to Create a Resume for a Job

When applying for a job that does not require a specific employment application form, job seekers will need a resume that describes their history as a worker. Whether you submit your printed resume in person or apply online via email, you will need to know how to construct a resume in order to land many different kinds of jobs.

A business resume can be divided into six categories or subject headers: personal information, objective, educational history, work history, skills, and references. Two optional categories, awards / recognition and service work, may be included at your discretion. Through these portions of the resume, an employer can make an impression of applicants before the interview process. The goal of a resume is to state your intentions and qualifications in a way that tells a potential employer that you are the best candidate for a given job.

Personal Information:
At the top of your resume, you should include your personal contact information. This information consists of your name, address, phone number, and email address. Only put valid, working, and up-to-date pieces of information on your resume.

Objective:
In the objective section of your resume, you should include a brief statement about your intentions and aspirations. The objective should describe the position you’re looking to obtain and any other related career goals. This area can be tailored to a specific company or job before you submit your resume and application for employment. Often times, applicants put the job title of the position they’re applying for as the subject header instead of “Objective.”

Educational History:
Under the education header, you should briefly list your educational qualifications. Often times, high school credentials are left off resumes in place of multiple college degrees. However, if you only have one or lack a college degree, it is acceptable to list high school educational information. You should state the degree or diploma earned, the institution or school from which it was earned, and the year in which it was received. Optional information like grade point average (GPA) and relevant courses studied can also be mentioned.

Work History:
Experts debate as to whether job applicants should list work history in chronological order or in a functional form whereby categorizing work history by job skills or responsibilities rather than by specific job. Either format is acceptable; however, chronological order is normally preferred by employers as it gives more pertinent information such as dates, locations, and time served with the company. Under work history, you should list all of the jobs you’ve had that specifically relate to the position you’re applying for. Give the name of the company you worked for, its location (city, state), the position held, the dates between which you held said position, and a brief description of your job duties and how they relate to your career objective.

Skills:
In this section, you should list only those skills relevant to the position you are currently applying for. General business knowledge, computer skills, and communication skills may be listed as they may relate to any job. When listing applicable skills, include a brief description of how each skill makes you the perfect candidate for the job. You can expand on concepts covered in your work history under this subject header.

Awards and Recognition:
This subject header is optional and should only be included if you have received awards or recognition that relates to your career objective and the position you’re applying for. Business awards, service awards, and educational honors should be included in this section.

Service Work:
Another optional subject header, service work should only be included if you have relevant experience gained through unpaid work like community service or volunteering. You should include work with your church / religious institution, community efforts such as Rotary Club or Boy Scouts of America, and volunteer work at local organizations, such as an animal rescue center or homeless shelter.

References:
Finally, a resume should include personal references. Many job seekers merely put “References available upon request” at the bottom of their resume. Others include a references section. In any event, you should include the name and contact information of each reference. In this case, a name, phone number, and perhaps an email address will suffice. You should include at least two and no more than three personal references unless otherwise directed.

After completing your resume, remember that you should update it on a regular basis. It’s best only to include recent information, as well. Jobs, awards, and service work from more than seven to ten years ago is outdated and doesn’t define where you are now as an employee and as a person. Make sure to check out our article, Tailoring a Resume to Fit the Job, to learn how to tweak your resume to impress a potential employer. Other interview tips and frequently asked interview questions are also available on this site.