Write a Resume in 7 Easy Steps It’s time to write a resume or update one. It all seems so overwhelming. Follow the 7 easy steps below and it will lead you right through the process. The whole process of how to write a resume begins with your assessment of yourself. Write a Resume Step 1. Which style fits you? Do you have a steady solid work history? Or are you entering the job market for the first time. Maybe you were once in the workforce, but have been home with children. Now it’s time to reenter the job market. To write a resume, first pick one of the following styles. Solid, consistent work history – Chronological Resume Style (you can also use a combo if you want) Entering the job market for the first time – Functional Style or Combination Style Re-entering the job market – Functional Style or Combination Style Changing Industries – Functional Style or Combination Style Spend some time online analyzing the different resume styles. To write a resume in the functional style is probably least effective, so use the Chronological Work History (starting with your most recent job first) or the Combination Style. The combination style allows you to show off your skills and minimize your work history record. In today’s fast paced world where you resume gets maybe 20 seconds, the Summary of skills right up front has a better chance of getting you noticed. Write a Resume Step 2. Find resume samples that are appropriate to your industry. Decide which ones you like. Now analyze why you like them. Look at the words they use, look at how the person has sold themselves. Notice the action words and power words in the descriptions. Notice that the candidate is showing the potential employer how they will bring value to the position and the company. Write a Resume Step 3. Find a resume template that you want to use. Maybe it’s just a free template or maybe you decide to use a resume builder. The resume builder will allow you to make many changes in your resume. Depending on the resume builder you can print out the same information in different resume styles. Write a Resume Step 4. Now it’s your turn to write a resume summary. Note your achievements and accomplishments. Do a search online for action words and power words. To write a
resume and have it be effective be sure you are using as many of these as appropriate in your summary. Once you’ve written the summary, read it out loud. How does it sound? Write a Resume Step 5. Do the Chronology (most recent job first). Include your achievements and accomplishments, not an exhausting list of your responsibilities and duties. Write a Resume Step 6. Proof it! Proof it! And then proof it again. Use your spell checker, use friends. Have several other people proof it if you can. You do not want any errors on this document. Write a Resume Step 7. Send it out.