Resume Format
Resumes come in many different formats and are generally all
accepted by employers. The most important thing is that a resume must
grab the employers’ attention within 30 seconds.
The two most popular resume formats are:
- The chronological resume format
- The functional resume format
Remember that it is crucial
that you highlight your “selling points” to the employer regardless of which resume format you decide on.
The traditional and most commonly used resume format is the chronological
format- so named because the core component of the resume
is a chronological review of your employment history. The advantage of
this resume format is that it highlights your past work experiences and
details performed in those previous jobs.
Personal information - What is your name and how can you be
reached?
Job Objective - What do you want to do?
Experience - What can you do?
Education - What have you learned?
Chronological resume format
Personal information
The contact information should be placed on top of your resume. It should
include your name, address, phone number and email.
Job objective
This is optional. The job objective allows employers to review and analyse
your resume and shows employers the direction you want to go.
Employment History
What you put in your employment section will depend on what the job is
and what you have done. You should describe your experience in the most
interesting and concise manner. For each job you have held, list the
following information:
- Dates of employment
- Name of the company you worked for
- Position title
- Description of the duties you performed
Education
Include your degrees, where you graduated, certification and awards
Skills and Abilities
This is the place to put important and/or interesting information that
does not fit anywhere else. With the advance of technology, it is increasingly
important to include a section on computer skills.
References
References or referees are people you know that can attest to your personality
and vindicate your skills. Preferably you should have at least 3 people
who can serve as your referees. It is important to let your referees
know about a possible call so that they are well prepared when the call does come.
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