Best Resume Building Tips

Resume is French for "Summary". It also derives from the Latin word "Curriculum Vitae" which means course of life. It is a vital self-promotional document and a key in getting invited to a personal interview.

Do not complicate the format with varying font sizes or make it too jazzy by adding a lot of colours in your resume. Employers like a short and sweet resume in a normal plain A4 sheet of white paper. Use black ink and avoid having too many bold letters.

Start the resume with a brief and clear objective. Keep the objective very simple and ensure it shows enough clarity and direction about the job that you want to do.

Once you have described your objective, move on to listing the various jobs that you have been previously involved starting with the most recent. List the name of the company, its location and the period in which you were employed. List your designation as well below the employer information. The most common mistake that all job-seekers do is to call their responsibilities as "Responsibilities". The most effective way to describe your job responsibilities is to describe them as "Accomplishments". List the most notable accomplishments in bulleted points one below the other. Like-wise continue for all the jobs that you have been employed till date.

Once you have finished with your work experience, list the most relevant and recent educational qualifications and or certifications that you have either acquired or in the process of doing so. The rule here is to again start with the most recent qualification and continue till the undergraduate certifications. Again remember to list the name and location of the university that you passed out from, the period of the course and the grade obtained by you in the said course.

It is also very important to specify the additional knowledge or skill that you possess whether or not it may be relevant for the job that you are currently applying for. Common examples are computer proficiencies, language expert, additional diplomas attained, professional certifications etc. These additional qualifications will let your prospective employer know about the added skills that you possess and will encourage them to consider you for a better and senior position that may require some or all of the skills that you additionally possess. Also add a separate section listing the various trainings that you have undergone during your previous employment or even during your education.

Do not forget to list the languages that you know. Categorize these languages as to know to read, write and to speak or to read only, or to write only or any of the various permutations and combinations that may form out of read, write and to speak.

Include a brief description of your hobbies and interests. You may also want your prospective employers to know if you hold any memberships to any of the elite clubs like Rotary Club, Lions Club, Interact Club, PETA, Red Cross, Blue Cross, etc.

Do not extend your resume beyond the third page. Most employers short list their probable candidates well before the second page is over. A lengthy resume might prove to be a dampener in itself and may discourage employers from even inviting you for a personal interview.

It is not very advisable to mention either your salary expectation or the current CTC that you are drawing currently.

Last but not the least, include your full name, address, preferred mode and time of contact, email address and contact phone number. It is always advisable to only give your personal mobile number, email ID or your residence contact. Never give the office contact number for obvious reasons. Also do not give your office email id for any correspondences. In case you only have a residence number, clearly state the preferred time of contact.