Previous Experience and Education

Your previous employment is of great interest to a new employer. Your employment history shouldn’t read like a ‘shopping list’ - a few weeks at one job, a couple of months with another company. An acceptable alternative would be to leave out some of the less relevant positions you’ve held. However, Don’t Lie – you will be found out!

List your previous achievements and accomplishments, rather than responsibilities and tasks undertaken. Highlight your success.

Your education history should be included too, highlighting qualifications relevant to the job you’re pursuing. Remember, your resume should be individually tailored to the post you’re applying for.

Decide whether to list employment and education histories by chronology* or experience* – and stick to it!

Don’t, at any stage, go overboard on detail. The recruiter may well have dozens of applications to sift through and they just haven’t the time to read pages of information thoroughly. Your application can be rejected purely on the basis of your resume – stand out from the crowd – for the right reasons!

Try to limit your resume to one or two pages. You can save further information about yourself for the interview, in fact introducing new aspects of your personality or skill-base at an interview, can actually be a bonus.

Always proofread your resume.

Proofread it again. Positions can be won and lost on poor grammar, bad spelling or incorrect use of language alone. Have someone else read through it, two heads are better than one.

Finally – don’t lie! We’ve said it before, but it’s important enough to be repeated.


*Download examples of Chronological and Functional resumes by ‘right clicking’ on the links, selecting ‘save as’ and choosing where to store them on your computer.

Your Personal Information

The first section of your resume should include some personal information about yourself. Try out different styles, font sizes, bold, etc. Remember, you want to stand out - appear unique.

Firstly, your name. Obvious isn't it? But it's suprising how often this detail is forgotten on important documents. If you're in the habit of using your middle name, or middle initial, include that too.

Next, your home address, where you currently reside. A P.O. Box address will not do for the purpose of a resume. A future employer needs to know you have a legitimate address.

Thirdly, You need to be at the end of a telephone when an employer wants to reach you, so include your home phone number and your cell number. If it's ok with your current employer to take personal calls, then include your work number too.

And don't forget your email address - although bigboy@hotmail.com or viagra-dealer@google.com may be a little off putting, so use a more 'professional' sounding email address - sign up for a new if necessary!

Learning How To Make A Resume

Learning how to make a resume is a skill once aquired, never forgotten, and is as asset you'll make use of throughout your life, so it's important to get it right from the start.

The age of Technology in which we live, makes it easier than ever to make a resume - but increasingly difficult to stand out from the crowd.

The use of a resume template is an excellent idea for a first attempt, or if you're in a hurry to apply for that job. However, care should be taken to individualize your efforts.

A short covering letter should be included with your resume, to introduce yourself and let your prospective employer know just how much of an asset you would be to their company.

It's not a good idea to write a 'one for all' covering letter, but
rather to tailor your introduction to the job you're applying for.