Your resume is the key document you will use to introduce you to your future employer.  It presents your skills and abilities and is your key selling piece. So, it behooves you to take extreme care in preparing a resume that will be a professional presentation of your qualifications.

There are many acceptable resume formats and methods of preparation. If you use this format and the guidelines we suggest, we can't guarantee you'll land a job. But, if you do adhere to this format, we can assure you that you will stand a better chance.

BASIC GUIDELINES FOR RESUME PREPARATION

Typesetting..

Use a computer with some type of word processing software.  Most common is MS Word, but others are useful.

Printing. . .

If you have a laser printer attached to your computer, you can elect to print multiple copies of your resume that way. The quality of a resume which you type on your computer and produce on your laser printer should be excellent; almost as good as one that is typeset by a professional and reproduced at a nearby printer. Be aware that the typed copy on your laser-printed resume can "crack" along the crease if you fold it. If that happens to your laser-printed resume, mail them to firms flat in a 9"x12" envelope.

Helpful hints. Writing a resume..

• Start your resume writing process by listing your jobs and what your day to day activities are/were.
• Write job descriptions in easy-to-understand terms, and as completely as space allows.
• Organize these by your employer in the format listed below
• Next list all your skills, technical knowledge, and computer skills.
• Group your technical skills or other skills at the beginning of your resume under a summary paragraph near the top of your resume. Be brief but be complete.
• Finish with your pertinent education and/or training, seminars, work-related course work, etc.
• Include an objective if desired.
• List "Under contract to" for any contract assignments you may have had.
• Include total number of years experience.
• Give security status, if any. If your security clearance has expired, include the date of expiration.
• Include your name and page number on each page of a multiple page resume (except no number on first page).
• If you want to use a better quality paper, consider a white bond paper with a rag content (available from most printers or paper supply stores). Rag bond, however, should not be used if you are printing copies of your resume on a photo copier (such as Xerox), as the letters may break up on folds.

• Have it typed by a professional typesetter.
• Eliminate all extra spaces between lines (except between job assignments).
• Use narrower margins.
• Keep job descriptions to 3-5 sentences (especially for older positions).
• If your "length" problem is due to an extensive number of job assignments, leave the oldest positions off and type the following at the bottom of the last page of your resume: "Experience from (date) to (date) available upon request." Then prepare a "complete" resume to furnish only to firms asking for it.

Things you "Should" do with your resume:

• Use 8-1/2" X 11" paper.
• List jobs in reverse chronological order.
• Include both a permanent contact and present address and phone number. You may be contacted through a permanent address or phone, even after you have moved from your present address.
• Make your resume as legible as possible.
• Include your job discipline(s) near your name at the top of page one of your resume and as a title to each assignment.
• Make your resume visually appealing, keeping your format consistent throughout.
• Try to keep to a maximum of three pages (see "tips" if resume is longer than two pages).
• Avoid much of the following: font changes, columns, italics, bolding, underlining, and graphics (see Resume Scanner Section)
• Keep records of where and to whom your resume is being sent

• Don't include hobbies.
• Don't include your Social Security Number.
• Don't use a "Job Objective." A "Job Objective" tells the firms what you want from them whereas a "Summary" tells what you can do for them.
• Don't exaggerate your experience.
• Don't show salary or pay information.
• Don't offer explanations for leaving prior employers.
• Don't use your photograph.
• Don't use abbreviations (except those that are acceptable in the engineering/technical fields, such as IBM, CAD, E/M, etc.).

More and more contract firms are utilizing scanners to input resumes into their computer databases. Because of that, new guidelines are required that will enable firms to scan your resume. Here are a few recommendations that will make your resume "scanner ready:"

• Use white paper and black ink.
• Don't underline words.
• Don't use script or other fancy typefaces.
• All letters should be of the same quality (no light or broken letters, no smudgy or filled-in letters, etc.).
• Use adequate margins (at least 1/2" on all sides).
• Don't handwrite anything on your resume.
• If using a dot matrix printer, utilize the best quality of type the printer provides (i.e. letter quality, dark copy, etc.).
• Avoid boxes or unusual configurations.

SAMPLE FORMAT:

Name

Address

City, State, Zip

Day Phone Eve Phone

E-mail

Qualification Summary:

Write a paragraph which describes your qualifications and abilities.

Skills:

Either list or bullet your key skills. List or bullet your knowledge of computer or telecommunication applications / hardware

Employment Summary:

List your most recent employer first, include employer name, location, period of employment, and your title. List or bullet your day to day activities, responsibilities and accomplishments

Education:

List your education and/or course work.