How to Write a Resume
The rules surrounding how to write a resume may have changed since you last applied for a new
job. Your resume is your ticket to a job interview, so the stakes are high.
If you're searching for your next career opportunity, you need to recognize a harsh
reality of the job search process - resumes are typically used to screen people out,
not in. Candidates don't like to hear this, but it's true.
As a recruiter, I receive hundreds of unsolicited resumes each week - and
hundreds more that are possibilities for the assignments I'm currently working.
How do I find the stars amid the clutter?
Your Customized Calling Card
Your resume will be your calling card with prospective employers. Sometimes great
experience is not enough. How many times have you applied for a position that you know
you were perfectly qualified for but the interview call never came? Most companies don't
even acknowledge receipt of your correspondence these days!
The way you package your experience in response to a specific opportunity can be a
critical factor in determining whether you're called for an interview.
We will teach you how to write a resume by giving you step by step instructions to
developing a document that works. We'll review the critical components needed to sell
your experience and we'll give you the inside story on what hiring managers and HR
professionals look for.
Do you need an objective?
What about a Summary Section?
How should you highlight your
accomplishments?
What format should you use?
We'll take the mystery out of this step in the job search process.
DerrJones wants to make it easy for you to succeed in your job search, and knowing
how to write a resume is a critical step in the process. We have assembled all that you'll need
to know about how to write a resume that will lead to more interviews.
Work your way through the links below and before you know it, you'll be well equipped to
build your personal resume. We've included some resume do's and don'ts along the way
as well as suggested formats you can adapt for your own use. And, since a sales resume
needs some special attention, you'll find some special instructions for sales professionals on how to write a resume
in this free information packed resource!
One of the first decisions you'll need to make when you are putting your resume together is what type of
resume you're going to create. The sections below will give you a good overview of the options you have
and the pros and cons of one format over another.
Chronological Resume: The Preferred Resume Layout
Experienced hiring professionals prefer a chronological resume format over any other format
choice you might make. We'll talk about how to write a resume in this format, and let you know why it's a
good idea to stick to what the people who are screening your resume will look for.
Job Resume: More on the Chronological Format
Once you've decided on the chronological resume format, learn how to package your experience
for maximum impact. If a chronological resume makes the most sense for you,
this section will help you fine tune your presentation to make the best impression. Included
in this section is some of our best advice for how to write a resume.
Functional Resume
Functional resumes are a bit of a mystery to most job seekers.
Focusing on skill sets instead of taking a chronological look at where you've
worked and what you've accomplished sets the stage for transitioning industries
or masking trouble spots in your track record. We'll show you how to create a functional
resume that packages your background in the best light.
Hybrid Resume Format
A hybrid resume combines elements of both the chronological format and the
functional format. You might be thinking that this choice will give you the best of both
worlds, but don't be fooled! In most cases, a pure chronological format will be a better option.
Resume Cover Letters: Our Recommendations
Candidates think they need to spend hours on developing a resume cover letter. We have a different viewpoint.
Our resume cover letter section might just enlighten you!
Resume Cover Letters
How much time do you spend agonizing over the content of the cover letter you send
when applying for a position? Are you using the "cookie cutter" approach or developing
unique content geared to the opportunity you're applying for? Resume Cover Letters will
give you some helpful hints to get noticed!
Starting at the Top: Resume Objectives...or Not?
The debate rages on among the professionals. Is an objective needed on a resume? We have a better idea and a
foolproof way to prevent you from being knocked out of the running before you've even had a chance to speak to a hiring manager.
Learn the ins and outs of including an objective on your resume. To borrow a slogan: we report...you decide.
Resume Objectives
Incorporating an objective into your resume is dangerous! Find out why - and
what you can do instead.
Resume Objective: How to Derail Your Job Search!
Here's an article I published on the subject of resume objectives. By the time you've reviewed the
information in this section, I think you'll know where I stand on this topic!
Objectives for Resumes: Will These Examples Help You Write a Resume?
Need to see some examples of good resume objectives? In today's market, the resume objective is really a
short summary of your experience and key strengths. Get ideas for this important part of your resume here.
Resume Objective Examples
Objectives continue to be a hot topic. For more on our approach to resume objectives,
you'll want to take this advice to heart. Trust us. You'll land more interviews following our guidance!
How to Write a Resume
So many visitors to our site are looking for a "how to" guide, or a tutorial on how to write a resume. Don't be
overwhelmed by what you find here. Information is presented in a few different ways, since we all learn differently.
Review these sections and put your own roadmap together on how you want to build your resume.
How to Create a Resume
Get some straight forward advice on how to create a resume that gets noticed. If you're looking for a
quick how to guide, this section is for you!
Resume Outline
Before you write one word, create a road map for yourself. If you outline the key
sections of your resume before you start, you'll find that your final document comes
together pretty quickly. Our outline tips will show you how to write a resume that gets noticed!
Resume Formats
You'll need to consider what resume format works best for your experience level.
Your choices are chronological, functional or a combination of both.
We'll share the secrets of making the right choice to increase your chances of
landing that ideal job.
Resume Layout
We'll cover some practical, hands on do's and don'ts for how to write a resume that looks good!
Aesthetics matter. Don't underestimate this important step in the process!
Resume Keywords
Your resume should be tailored for each position you're applying for. Find out how to write a resume
including keywords that can help you stand out from your competition.
Resume Action Words
You know that you need good action words on your resume. But where can you go to find a good
action word when you need one? DerrJones can help! Browse through our action words and punch up your resume.
Create a Resume
Learn the ins and outs of creating a document that will help you stand out from
the crowd. We'll reveal the "pre-writing" secrets that you need to know in order to
create an effective resume.
Write a Resume
Use the resources of DerrJones, Inc. to write a free resume. We'll give you the step by step instructions to build
a winning resume.
Resume Writing "How To" Instructions
Create a winning document with these resume writing short cuts. If you make some notes on the most
important elements, pulling your final document together will be a snap!
Resume Tips, Advice and General Help
Review these sections for some insider tricks and tips on how to write a resume. Implementing one or
two of these ideas can mean the difference between getting the interview or waiting for the phone to ring.
Tips on Writing a Resume
Use these 10 tips for some quick guidance on how to write a resume. All of the basics are covered here.
If you need more detail, you can check out other portions of our Resumes section for help.
The Best Resume Ideas
Find some basic, no nonsense ideas here to jump start writing the perfect resume. Follow this quick run
down of the information you'll need at your fingertips in order to showcase your experience. You'll be well
on your way to landing that next job!
Resume Writing Tips
Take a lightning fast look at our top ten tips for how to write a resume that gets
noticed. While not a substitute for following the rest of our guidelines, our top ten tips are a
short cut to creating a successful document.
Resume Writing Help
Our top 10 resume flags take a look at some of the things you need to avoid when
creating your resume. Presented in David Letterman fashion, this is a good reality
check as you build your resume.
Sample Resumes
We know that you want to see what a good resume should look like. We've got some samples waiting for you!
Resume Samples
Want to see an example of the finished product? Review the resume samples we've
provided and adapt them for your own use.
Functional Resume Samples
There's nothing like looking at an example of the real thing! We'll show you what
a functional resume should look like when you're done.
Special Resumes
Are you in a special situation? Are you a student, wondering how to put a resume together when you don't
have much experience? Maybe you're a sales professional. You understand a good deal about how to
write a resume but need some help on what's needed on a sales resume. Take a look at our special
categories for some great advice.
The Sales Resume
A sales resume includes all of the elements we've been discussing, plus more.
Find out how to showcase your sales accomplishments by incorporating key metrics.
We'll also help you avoid the common traps most sales professionals fall into when
writing their resume.
College Student Resume
I was instrumental in the development of a College and Career Prep program
for the Union League of Philadelphia's Youth Work initiative, targeted to high
school and college students. These workshops focus on resume preparation and
interview skills that are critical to giving young people an edge as they look
for employment.
Find out why you should take advice from a recruiting pro, rather than your
guidance counselor or the career office at your university.
A Simple Resume? Think Again!
As a recruiter, I think I've seen it all. Find out why putting together a simple
resume is not necessarily a good strategy in your job search.
Not Looking for DYI Solutions? These Tools Might Help
Despite all of the information we've provided on how to write a resume, we know that some
people are looking for an easier solution. Here are some resources that can help you build a
resume without heavy lifting!
Microsoft Word Resume Template
We can give you all kinds of information on how to write a resume, but when it comes to putting your official
document together, you might be tempted to turn to a template. We're not saying this is right or wrong, but if
you choose this option, you need to do so wisely. We'll show you how.
Resume Distribution Services
If you're in the hunt for a new opportunity, there are companies that can distribute
your resume to literally thousands of recruiters. There are pros and cons to this strategy.
We'll give you some things to consider in making a decision to use these services.
