How do you write a resume?

Alyssa,

Hi! Can you tell me what sort of jobs you have had while going to school?

A good website to help you with the resume is gotresumebuilder (dotcom) (it won't let me type it properly!

Basically, I'd like to ask you to step away from the computer. Sit down with real paper and pen, and work through these steps.
1. List each job you have had. Employer name, job title, city/state and dates of employment (month/year).
2. under each job, list WHAT you did. For help with this, look at onetonline (dot org)
3. While listing WHAT you did, think about everything. Think about any assignments of responsibility beyond what others were given, if you trained others, and things like that. Do NOT talk to yourself and say, "But I only did....." "But I just ...." JUST and ONLY are bad words. They will make you think less of yourself than what you actually did.
4. After listing the "what", go back and see if it needs to be shortened. For example, if you did retail sales, you don't need to list "clean the bathroom, sweep, mop, dust, etc" just write "Maintained the store in a neat and inviting manner." Usually first resumes don't need too much condensing, but you do not want to be overly wordy either.
5. Think about the extra projects. Describe them by using words like "selected for," "chosen to" or "appointed." This shows that OTHERS had confidence in your work skill. It is important to show that others think highly of you. Most people only write resumes that show that they think highly of themselves. Others' opinions of course carry more weight.
6. Add words that show the quality and quantity of the work that you do. "rated one of the most accurate cashiers." "quickly and accurately....." "safely"

Do the same thing with any extra-curricular activities. Did you work a fund-raising booth? Plan and organize club events? Schedule study groups? Tutor math students? (Tutoring math shows you have good math skills!) Also include any internships or volunteer experience. I would recommend the internship be included in the work history section.

AFTER you have written the "work history" and "community service" (or whatever name you give it) parts of your resume, at the top, you need to add a "summary of qualifications." You write it LAST, because it is a capsule summary of everything you have included in the other sections. You can't write it first because you have no clue what else you are writing yet!

Sorry, but education goes at the bottom. Everyone has one, and it does not really add anything extra to the resume, or prove what kind of work you do. You want to really get their attention in the top third of the resume. They only look at it for about six seconds. That's not much time.

Other things to remember: Everyone is big on customer service, safety, confidentiality, computer skills. Look for ways to work this into your resume. Do not just say that you "did" customer service, look for ways to paint a picture with words. I want to know that you love doing it! Don't say "Handled" customer service complaints. Say "Resolved" customer service complaints. See the difference?

Once you have a good master resume, remember that every time you look at it, you will see little things that can be improved. That is okay. Also remember to use spellcheck, and have someone else review it. You are not just looking for positive feedback. You want constructive criticism. But don't get too much feedback, or you will doubt yourself (even more than you already do!)

When applying to jobs, carefully review the job description. Make sure that you show that you have everything they are asking for, to the degree possible. It might not be exactly what they want, but if it somehow relates, show them how it does. If it is a job you really want, you may spend 3 hours "tweaking" the resume.

Looking at your other questions: The quickest, easiest jobs for people with Liberal Arts backgrounds is in the gov't, such as social service programs. It's a good place to start, stay for a couple years, and then move on (unless you really like it.). I've seen people with our degrees do really great in positions such as recruiters, banking, etc. Once you have your first professional job, you will see that what the degree was in really does not matter much, as long as you have one.

Let me know if you have any questions. And please, look around for other resources. Workforce Centers, Career offices at school, etc.
Kim

Hi there. Yes, there is specific content you should include and a particular format as well. I co-founded a staffing firm 20 years ago and I have a lot of experience writing resumes that help people get job interviews. You can connect with me through LinkedIn and I'll send you a sample resume for a college graduate as well as my guide for writing a professional resume. Good luck!

Alyssa: Here are some suggestions for resume writing:
1. I am sorry that you have not found a resume class to attend. There should be some at your school or better yet if your school has a Career Center, they can always help you and give you some samples of good resumes. If you can't find a resume class or a career center at your school, sometimes the adult education programs have those kind of classes and I would suggest looking into that.
2. The library or a book store often has a resume book that has samples for you to look at. Also if you check on-line and put in Resume Samples some will pop up for you to see.
3. The suggestions for a good for a good resume is as follows:
a.At the top you need to put your name, address, phone and email address.
b.Next you can write a 2 to 3 line "Summary" about what you have done as far as any kind of experience.(Make sure you put in anything that you have done that is within the job description that you are responding to.)
c. The next section is very important and it is titled "Qualifications". You will list some of the skills and qualification that you have that would make you a good candidate for the job. Some of these are: Computer experience with excel and word; sales manager; good with numbers; work well as team player; skilled in writing and oral communication; etc. These are just a few but if you have a good resume book it will show you in the book how to form this part of the resume.
d. The next section could be "Education". If you have a degree put that first and the date you received it and what you got the degree in. The list other schools of education that you have attended.
e. The following section is "Job Experience". Any job you have had you should put you title of what you did, and what dates you worked there and what was the company name. Under that in bullet points you describe you job duties. If it was voluntary work make sure the word "voluntary is in the description.
f. The last section is where you put any awards that have gotten in school or other places. You will list them and the date that you received them.

I have given you a shortened explanation of how to set up a resume, but it would be worth your time to get also a resume book or check on line so that you can visually see the set up and understand what I have just said regarding each point. I am sure once you see the format it will be much easier.

I have in the past used a book called "Every Women's essential Job Hunting and Resume Book" for myself and some of my clients. Along with sample resumes it has interviewing suggestions and other job search ideas for you to read about. I recommend this book as a resource for you.

I hope this has helped you with getting started on this very important project. If you have other question please let me know. I wish you the best.