How to build a successful resume.

Having applied for numerous jobs over the past few years I have been surprised at what a difference making a few changes to my resume made, suddenly the interviews flew in and my confidence soared.

If you are starting on a blank page here are a few tips on how to lay out your resume.

1) Start with your contact details, these should be your name, address, telephone number, mobile number and email, try to have a “serious” email address on which prospective employees can contact you, not something like sexyminx70@blabla.com unless they type of employment you are going for warrants it!

2) Summarise your career objectives in a simple statement, this should be quite striking as it is the first chance for you to show your potential employer what you have to offer! State what type of job you are looking for e.g. full time, part time, casual or temporary. Describe the environment you wish to work in (words such as “busy” and “active” show you can cope in stressful environments). Also try and include a short message about what you have to offer, how much the job interests you and how keen you are to begin work.

3) State your highest form of education and any qualifications you have and the date of their completion.

4) Include a list of your previous jobs or your “employment history”, include how long you stayed in the position (this can be done by putting the start date and the end date), if the employment was brief do not worry, if the prospective employer wishes to query why then be honest, even if you were fired, but try to give reasonable explanation. It is also beneficial if you describe some of the responsibilities you had in the previous jobs.

5) A list of your non technical skills e.g. good communication skills, any other languages you speak, how reliable and punctual you are, phrases such as “motivated” and having an “eagerness to learn” shows prospective employers that you may be able to grow within the company.

6) A list of your computer skills, e.g. programmes you know how to operate and your tying speed.

7) A list of referees including their contact numbers and position.

That should help you make the basic skeleton of your resume, good luck!