The main purpose of a resume is to convince an employer to grant you an interview. There are two kinds. One is the familiar “tombstone” that lists where you went to school and where you’ve worked in chronological order. The other is what I call the “functional” resume－descriptive, fun to read, unique to you and much more likely to land you an interview.
It’s handy to have a “tombstone” for certain occasions. But prospective employers throw away most of those unrequested “tombstone” lists, preferring to interview the quick rather than the dead.
What follows are tips on writing a functional resume that will get read－a resume that makes you come alive and look interesting to employers.
1.Put yourself first:
In order to write a resume others will read with enthusiasm, you have to feel important about yourself.
2.Sell what you can do, not who you are:
Practice translating your personality traits, character, accomplishments and achievements into skill areas. There are at least five thousand skill areas in the world of work.
Toot your own horn!
Many people clutch when asked to think about their abilities. Some think they have none at all! But everyone does, and one of yours may just be the ticket an employer would be glad to punch-if only you show it.
3.Be specific, be concrete, and be pief!
Remember that “pevity is the best policy.”
4.Turn bad news into good:
Everybody has had disappointments in work. If you have to mention yours, look for the positive side.
5.Never apologize:
If you’ve returning to the work force after fifteen years as a parent, simply write a short paragraph （summary of background） in place of a chronology of experience. Don’t apologize for working at being a mother; it’s the hardest job of all. If you have no special training or higher education, just don’t mention education.
The secret is to think about the self before you start writing about yourself. Take four or five hours off, not necessarily consecutive, and simply write down every accomplishment in your life, on or off the job, that made you feel effective. Don’t worry at first about what it all means. Study the list and try to spot patterns. As you study your list, you will come closer to the meaning: identifying your marketable skills. Once you discover patterns, give names to your cluster of accomplishments （leadership skills, budget management skills, child development skills etc.） Try to list at least three ac