How to Make a Resume

When you need to know how to make a resume, there are several decisions to make.  You have to decide if you want to do it all yourself or get some help. You also have to think about its format and style.  

There are many resume writing service companies out there if you want your resume to be prepared professionally. Yes, it will cost money, probably $90 or more, but then you have the benefit of experienced writers developing your resume. They will know what to say and what format to use. When making this decision, remember that some or all of the costs of a professional resume writing company will be tax deductible.

If you need help in constructing your resume, then there are resume building tools online. You will still have to write it, but you won’t have to worry about the formatting of it as they will handle the font types, margins, etc. So if you don’t have the money and have never written a resume before, this would be the way to go. Not only will this help you learn how to make a resume, but you can also receive tips on updating your resume.

Choosing a Format

If you are still wondering how to make a resume, you need to consider how you want your resume to be formatted. Chronological formatting is standard- this occurs when you list your jobs in date order, usually with the most recent job on the top. However, a skill-based resume is also accepted- in this format, you break down each skill you learned at each different job and make those the headings on your resume instead of the name of jobs. Skill-based resumes are great if you haven't had a lot of jobs but if you have a lot of specific experience.

Word Choices

You want to specific when writing your resume, and use action words. Mention things you did or achieved in your previous jobs. It can be especially helpful to give concrete examples such as "won the award in my division for X..." or "named employee of the month." These concrete details show just what a great employee you were and help your potential new employer see you as an asset to his company.

Professionalism

You want your resume to be a professional document, which means it should look like one. Don't use flowery or decorated paper and don't use strange fonts or colors. Stick with basic resume paper (an upgrade from standard letter paper if you can) and a font such as Times New Roman. The font should ideally be between 10-12 in size.

Your resume should also be proofread to ensure there are no grammatical mistakes or errors. Don't use slang words or expressions. If you use abbreviations or acronyms, explain what they are and don't assume that the reader will know.

Include a cover letter that accompanies the resume, and make sure you have tailored your resume to each specific job. This may mean making slight changes to the resume every time you send it out to highlight the specific skills and abilities that the recruiter for the particular job was seeking.