The Best Resume: Key Items To Include When Writing Your Resume

No two employers are alike and to try and pinpoint a resume format that will please all is nearly impossible. What is possible however, is including key items that are universally necessary.  

A resume is a written explanation of your skills experience and certification. Poorly executed resumes can result in loss of interviews or even worse, end up in the trash. No one knows you better then yourself, so opt out of professional writers, take a deep breath and write your own using these helpful tips.

1. Use a Processor You’re Familiar With
Don’t fuss over downloading the latest resume writing tools. Stick with what you know. The most typical, and easiest is Microsoft Word. It is compatible and houses all the features you’ll need.

2. Tone Down the Yuppie Language
As tempting as it is to Share you’re awesome vocabulary skills, don’t. Keep the language professional and clean. Demonstrate your fluent language skills in you’re interview. If its too wordy, some employers may turn it away.

3. Make Your Contact Information Visible
Essentially, your resume is you, on paper. Make sure your name is distinct from all other text. Contact information should follow your name in smaller font.

4. Let Your Certification Be Known
If you are professionally certified or affiliated with any major companies. Place the logo on your resume either along side your name or on the top of the page. Such subtle additions can set your resume apart from others both visually and certifiably.

5. Keep the Formatting Clean
Use standard fonts such as Times, Times New Roman, Ariel or Verdana. Keep Font sizes at or around 10 or 11 point, bold headings and justify all text. Avoid tables. Instead use in tab formatting.

6. Divide Sections Accordingly
Typically there are six key areas to include.
Summary
Professional Certification/Awards/Honors/Affiliations
Technical Skills
Professional Experience/Work Experience
Education
Other Information (awards recognition apart from professional / Hobbies etc.)

(*Note: order may be changed if more important or recent items within experience level, expertise, any degrees and profession. If you recently acquired a degree, the Education section would come after Summary rather then at the end.)

7. Include Keywords
Recruiters are beginning to utilize keyword searches to find resumes. For most skills, more then one way of mentioning them can be found. To ensure your resume gets found, express key skills in all possible ways.
For example: “Microsoft SQL Server 2005”, “MS SQL Server 2005”, or “MS SQL 2005”.