Developing a Resume that Works for You

Every personnel office, graduate business course, recruiter and job-search web site has a definition for what resume format works best. It seems to me that finding one resume format that is universal is probably like finding a pair of shoes that will fit all feet. Throughout my career I have utilized a number of formats, from the traditional to the trendy to the unconventional. The one conclusion I have reached throughout this process is that it must be driven and defined by the individual experiences of the applicant.

Here's what works for me. I believe that the most effective method of displaying your background and qualifications is the following sequence: Biography paragraph; recent employment/accomplishments; education; certification, licenses, achievements; personal activities and memberships.

In this example, I am a social worker who has worked for various social service agencies and have proven myself as a competent and compassionate leader. My explanatory paragraph may look like this:

Competent and committed professional who has strengths in relationship-building, establishing rapport and working with various social service agencies. Have developed methodologies for assisting clients with various social service types of concerns such as homelessness, unemployment, education programs and childcare services. Seeks to take this experience to the next level in a management/training capacity, to teach other social workers and effect more significant changes with respect to social program delivery.

Following this would be a list of the achievements, such as analysis tools, histories, reporting, etc. A prospective employer is looking for how well you identify and solve problems of all types, in a variety of contexts. Also important is how well you work with others, both as a manager and as managed. Identify your achievements and creative ideas and explain how they represent you as a prospective employee.

Then review your previous employment - name, city and state, title, dates. This should not be lengthy and boring. Many schools of thought are that most resumes should be only one page. Make certain that you print only one side of the paper; two sides are not appropriate.

Next, itemize your degrees and institutions from which those degrees were earned. If you graduated with honors, please include those designations. Follow this by any certifications or licenses and achievements (top salesman for three consecutive out of 436 in western region, etc.). The final paragraph should be your participation in non-business activities (scouting, volunteer at special organizations, marathon runner, etc.). Please make this brief. Your employer won't want to know about your bridge tournaments but he or she will want to know that you are civic minded enough to participate in organizing charity events.

The most important aspect of creating your resume is balancing between bravado and understatement. Your job is to present yourself in the best possible light but not to nominate yourself for a Nobel prize. State your strengths and accomplishments clearly and succinctly. Don't provide any more information than what is necessary. Use white bond paper and simple, uncomplicated type faces. But don't underestimate your value, your ability to make a contribution to a new company and the fact that you are unquestionably the best candidate for their position.

All of the content within this article is the product of my own experience; it does not reflect the opinions, processes or procedures of any agency or recruiting/hiring entity.