Résumé++Writing

No matter what your age, or what type of job you are hoping to obtain, stand above the crowd with a great résumé !

Finding employment can be challenging for anyone, but the job market can be especially tough for students, recent college graduates, people re-entering the workforce after time away, or someone who has been in a position for a long time. Competition is stiff; the market is filled with other strong job candidates, too. So how can you increase your chances for getting a great job in the field you love? For almost everyone, **it starts with a résumé ****. **

résumé **. **
 * In this lesson, you will understand what a** résumé **is and the various ways in which it is used. We will also explore what information is contained in a**

Whenever you apply for a job/position, you will likely be asked to submit a résumé. DON'T WAIT TO BE ASKED! Have it in hand! Hiring managers look closely at certain resumes to see if a candidate is a good match for their open position. A résumé is a document that tells prospective employers exactly what you want them to know about you and why you would be a good fit for their open position. It should advertise your skills in an easy-to-read, logical, and concise format. Its purpose is as follows:
 * Hiring managers use r**ésumés** to screen potential employees. They typically look at a r**ésumé** for //**less than 15 seconds**// before deciding which pile to put it in. The "No" pile ends up in the recycle bin. The "Yes" pile gets a second look, and possibly an interview.
 * For you, a r**ésumé** is a tool designed to get you to the next step in the employment process—**the interview.** It can even help you prepare for that interview by giving you specific items to practice talking about. Think of your resume as your very own 30 second commercial spot. Hopefully, you catch the hiring manager's attention within the first five seconds, so that she will keep reading. Otherwise, your r**ésumé** may end up in the "No" pile.


 * Why is a R**ésumé I **mportant in the Job Search?**

Most hiring mangers will tell you that they use a résumé as a screening tool to select which candidates to interview and which to rule out. Some hiring managers perform this screening themselves, but many let someone else -- even a computer -- do the screening for them!

Did you know that some hiring managers **may scan over 100** résumé **to fill just one position**? That means a hiring manager will likely spend less than 15 seconds scanning each one. Obviously, you'll want to make your résumé worth a closer look! A résumé provides the hiring manager with their very first impression of you. A well-written one could be your ticket into an interview. You can use it before an interview to help you prepare your answers to the questions you expect to get, and it can even help you during the interview by giving you a way to direct the flow of questions.

A résumé is a document that you put together to "sell" your skills and experience to a hiring manager when you are trying to get a specific job. Hiring managers scan numerous r<span style="font-family: Thorndale,serif; font-size: 1.3em;">ésumé to find the few candidates that most closely match the needs of their organizations. They usually meet with these candidates for interviews to determine which candidate to hire.


 * The same basic information should be included on each resume, regardless of which** r<span style="font-family: Thorndale,serif; font-size: 1.3em;">ésumé **format is used. The information you should**
 * include is:**
 * Your **Contact Information**, so that the hiring manager can easily get in touch with you if needed.
 * A **Professional Summar**y, sometimes called a profile, that gives the hiring manager a glimpse of your skills and accomplishments.
 * Your **Employment History**. This should provide specific details about the accomplishments and successes you've had in your previous jobs. It always includes the names and locations of the employer, and should include a job title that is generally understandable. Dates are are often included in this section, though you may want to omit them if you have gaps in your employment history.
 * Your **Education information**. Include the certifications or degrees you have earned, the institutions from which you earned them, and the dates they were awarded.
 * Any **Additional Skills** and Information that highlight a technical or specialized skill you have that are applicable to the position.
 * **References** if requested, or if you choose to include them. This is a list of, generally, three people that are not related to you that can serve as character and professional references for you.

Now get busy!

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