How to Write a Resume for a New Job

Writing a resume for a new job is a little different from writing a resume for a job that you have connections into. But there are still ways to set your resume apart from the other unsolicited applicants. Here's how to write a resume for a completely new job.

Step 1

The right paper is essential. Go to Office Depot and get the expensive, thick resume paper. This is no time to try to save. Try a nice off white color to protray a businesslike demeanor. This will immediately set you apart from the others who decided to print their resume from home to save money. Money saving is no good if you don't get the job!

• Step 2

  The best paper requires the best organization. Decide for certain your strengths, and put your resume in that order. If you're a young applicant, the strongest portion of your resume will probably be education, not experience. Don't worry about putting education first. Some employers actually want to hire less experienced people because they charge less.

• Step 3

  Do not put down any experience that is not directly related to the job at hand. Also, play up your strengths. If you have periods of unemployment, avert the issue by puting length of time served at jobs (5 years) rather than dates served (Jan. 2001-Jan 2005).

• Step 4

  Put the resume in a big enough font to fill up the page. Don't have orphans. Resumes should be one page, so if you have too much experience, word your resume in a way that prompts the interviewer to ask more questions about your experience. An example -- instead of listing everything you did at a job, say "Gradually increasing responsibilities within sales department"

• Step 5

  After you have organized the resume and cropped or lengthened it to one page, make sure your contact information is at the top, and give yourself a little flair for your name, whether it be a slightly bigger font, or a different font. Make sure they remember who they are talking to. With the job market as it is these days, I'd err on the side of too big, because if you don't, interviewers won't remember you. Good luck in your job search.