I know that some of this so basic that it will appear to some of you as third grade curriculum. To others who may not have been in the work force for awhile it will be necessary reading. So with that said let’s begin.

What exactly is a resume and the purpose?

Simply put a resume is a review of your work history. This article is about “How To Write a Resume”. If you have never written one then you need to do it right. My dad always told me, “you only have one chance to make a good first impression.”

If you have a long work history going back 20+ years it’s not necessary to review your whole life. Just the last four to five jobs you have held, the position, responsibilities, acknowledgments etc. It should be well written (we will show you how to do that further down). The purpose – is to get an interview! Like anything, you have about 15 – 20 seconds to grab the readers attention. Fail to do that and your resume goes in the trash.

Who needs a resume?

Anyone who needs a job, whether it is to change careers, or stay within the same type of job. If you are new to the work force, whether just out of college or a stay at home mom/dad this gives you the opportunity to display your abilities and skills. Even if you are going to an interview through the referral by a friend you need a well written resume. If it is well written it will answer many questions the interviewer may have. Now if the position is making hamburgers at McDonalds or tacos at Taco Bell this won’t necessarily apply. For any other type of employment (manufacturing etc.) it is an absolute necessity, and it must be done right!

Can I write it myself or is it complex?

The answer is yes and yes. Or depending on where you are in the job market food chain the answer can be NO, it’s better to have it written professionally. Anyone can write anything but will the person you want to impress read it? Well, that’s another story. Our goal is to offer help with this to make sure you have the best chance of gaining the interview. The general rule – No Interview – No Job. Even a first time job seeker needs the best resume they can have, and we don’t mean on fancy, watermarked paper. If your content doesn’t grab their attention your fancy paper won’t either.

Why might I need to have my resume professionally written?

If the job you are applying for pays minimum wage then you don’t need to spend a lot of money for this service. A quality Resume Template is what you need. However, that doesn’t mean that you can sit down and in 15 minutes crank one out. The idea that you can successfully do this is a myth. Over the years the type of resume required to obtain a quality job has changed, literally morphed into a different thing than it was five or ten years ago. If you have never written a resume then you do need guidance in what the corporate world is looking for. You will only have 15 to 20 seconds to get the readers attention so quality counts.

Are there resume templates available if I choose to write it myself?

Let me recommend another additional source to you. These are resume e-books that allow you to make a quality looking resume. They will hold you by the hand and lead you step by step through the process. These will have everything you need to get the look and appearance you need without breaking the bank. HOWEVER it wouldn’t be fair to leave it at that when I know better. What I said was true except that these e-books will give you a resume that will look like it came from a text book and yours will look like everyone else’s.

What you really need to be competitive is one professionally written (they aren’t that expensive) and are worth every penny. A professionally written resume will make you stand out because these writers know how to highlight your strengths. Visit our site ResumeHelpBlog for more information.

Image taken on 2005-07-31 01:17:18. Image Source. (Used with permission)