Remember that old story about Goldilocks and the three Bears? How the little girl found the porridge too hot at first and then too cold and finally found the bowl that was just right for her? And then she found a bed that was too hard at first, then a bed that was too soft; only to find a bed that was just right for her?

Well, when you are figuring out how to write a resume, you may just face a similar situation, which, in resume writing terms is known as the Goldilocks Resume Writing Syndrome. This is when one typically fumbles around to hit the resume sample that is exactly right, firstly producing resume examples that are too weak or unfocused, and then producing resume formats that are rather too rigid or strong before formulating one that is, as Goldilocks said, just right!

So when drafting your resume formats, the Goldilocks resume writing syndrome is one to be studiously avoided. You can do this by keeping the following tips and pointers in mind when drafting your resume examples:

Firstly decide on the objective for making a resume. This can be done by making clear what the requirements of a particular job or position are and then tailoring your resume to fit those requirements. See what all you can cover in your resume from among the list of requirements that a particular job has.

Compare and contrast the requirements of the job with the sum of your own skills, abilities and experiences. In the first draft you can write your appropriate experiences down next to each of the particular job requirements.

Then each of those relevant bits of your own experience which match the job requirements can be tabulated in a reverse chronological order in the resume format which a prospective employer will find easy and lucid to follow.

Then you can make some cosmetic changes to the resume making use of certain action words such as ‘oversaw’, ‘executed’, ‘led’, ‘managed’, ‘coordinated’ etc.

Make your resume as objective as possible, leaving out personal pronouns in particular.

There may be other skills or experiences you have which could be pertinent to the job or position, which, while not a specific requirement, may actually end up tipping the scales in your favor. These should be mentioned briefly.

Beware of being longwinded and about including irrelevant details when you are teaching yourself how to write a resume, while including all relevant details. Strike a balance between relevance and brevity.

It is a good idea to include an objective statement at the beginning of the resume, which explains clearly to the reader what it is that you are seeking and what unique or specific quality you are able to bring to the position.

Be consistent in your resume, particularly with regard to the resume formats that you use. You cannot have part of the resume in one format and part of it in another format.

Image taken on 2008-10-29 21:30:44. Image Source. (Used with permission)