Resume Writing

[PoPPeR]

Is there a "definitive" website or manual on how to write a resume? I've been looking for employment for awhile, and my dad's friend might hire me at the Contra Costa Times (Newspaper) Offices. I've done a few resume's for school, but everytime the instructions on how to write them are different

 

[yoda291]

ask someone who does visual design to look over your resume. There are lots of very effective resumes out there that are entirely different from each other, but often, they share an excellent visual layout, high readability, and good language.

 

[amnesiac]

What industry are you writing for? There are general guidelines, and there are industry-specific guidelines.

Easy pointers:

- Don't use a generic template. Your resume should stand out but not overly so.
- Keep it to a page, unless you have many years of specialized experience or are quoting your own doctorate research.
- Proofread, proofread, and proofread some more. Have everyone you know proofread your resume and then take it to someone else. Many people in HR are notorious for ditching resumes because of spelling/grammar errors. One of my professors cited the example of an HR rep that would throw out resumes that didn't have "." at the end of every line like they were supposed to.

 

[PoPPeR]

Well I'm only 17. I'm staying at the local community college hoping to transfer to an East Coast business school in 2 years, and I want to get started right now, before I even graduate from HS. It's really hard finding a real job right now though, with a combination of the bad job market and the fact that I can't start till 3:30, and no real jobs out there offer hours starting at 3:30 that would help me right now. I have had two previous jobs, both of which ended because of school/parent pressure, and other then that I have no real experience, so I don't think my resume will be too long

 

[amnesiac]

Get a weekend job or intern/apprenticeship in an industry, or wait tables.

Serving in a restaurant is underrated. Very good foundation for customer service experience.

 

[PoPPeR]

I can't wait tables because I'm only 17... and don't turn 18 till late September Not being 18 removes a lot of possibilities for me... i'll be very discouraged if I get an internship or a nice job somewhere then realize i can't work since i'm not 18

 

[amnesiac]

Many restaurants will hire underaged workers.
Try privately owned ones as opposed to corporate chains.