Resume Writing Tips for Online Job Applications

As a work-at-home mom I have applied to dozens of internet-based positions and have re-worked my resume several times. The most effective way to get a prospective employer to read and follow up from your resume is to keep it short, simple, and relevant. Equally important is what you do not include, do not include your personal life, hobbies, or irrelevant job experience.

Keep it Short

One page is plenty. When an employer has a stack of resumes to get through, they want to be done in the shortest time possible, and they will skim. If you have the facts in an easy to follow, easy to see format without extra words, they will be happy. Realize that if you found a remote position online there most likely are hundreds if not thousands of applicants. The person hiring will quickly toss a resume that would take too long to read in an effort to find someone quickly.

Keep it Simple

Cut down extra words, punctuation (!), and verbs. Get right to the point. If you are applying for a data entry position, 'I love working with numbers and letters, the keyboard just flows like water beneath my fingertips as I tap away in time with the oldies station in the background. I am very very very helpful and kind and a wonderful team player.' Keep it simple, 'I pay attention to details, am reliable, and am proficient at 10-key-by-touch'

Keep it Relevant

Like keeping it 'I am a happy friendly outgoing person who loves kittens, classical music, and I was senior class president in high school' is going to clutter your page up and cause the reader's eyes to glaze over. Bulleted information taking up the minimum amount of lines enables the reader to go right to the point. List directly relevant experience that will directly help you in the job you are applying for. Done a similar job last year? List it. Worked as a camp counselor the summer between 11th and 12th grades? Leave it off.

Leave Personal Out of It

Knowing that you juggle 6 kids and desire to work from home while you tandem nurse your twins and are home schooling your 4th grader alternating with raising your pack of Chihuahuas will not impress a prospective employer. The less they know, the least likely they are going to think you are in over your head. While you or your friends may be impressed by your long list of extracurricular activities or 6-child family, your employer will read that as a recipe for burnout and that he should not bother training you, as you'll be in over your head and quit in a few months.

When asked why you want to work from home, a simple, 'I work well independently and am better able to concentrate on my work in a quiet environment.' They don't need to know that you're environment is usually anything but quiet.