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Help Writing Your Resume
by Trish Williams |
Need Help Writing Your Resume?
As a freelance writer, I’ve helped numerous individuals in all types of fields prepare successful and dynamic resumes. When you need help writing your resume, it’s important to have some good sources at your fingertips.
Finding help writing your resume at a career center
University career placement centers are usually prepared to provide you help writing your resume. The service is usually free. Many career counselors are trained in the art and science of good resume preparation.
They have many sample resumes on hand; books to give you suggestions; and sometimes they even have a resume evaluation professional who can review your resume. Finding help writing your resume at a placement career center is easy, and a valuable resource to keep in mind.
Finding help writing your resume from an independent source
Freelance writers and professional resume service centers are often ready to help. Many times they can take your first draft resume and create a very tight and concise resume to help you get the job you need. The costs of resumes may range from $30 - $600, depending on exactly what is needed.
Writing the resume yourself
If you’ve decided you don’t need help writing your resume, and want to try it yourself, here are some tips to remember:
Keep the resume to one page – Long resumes are discouraged, unless you’ve been in the workforce for over thirty years.
- Parts of the resume: Your resume should include your name, address, phone number, Objective, Employment History, Education, Special Skills, and a note at the end that says, “References provided upon request.”
- Use descriptive words: When describing your experience, use words like: Created, designed, organized, developed, prepared, planned, researched and invented. There is no need to use the word “I” in your resume.
If, after you’ve started, you feel as though you still need help writing your resume, you might consider taking a free online class or checking with a service in your town that provides this service.
The key is to develop a powerful resume that will get results. Some universities provide lectures on writing resumes. Often times they cover topics such as: choosing the right resume format for you. Formats vary. During such seminars, other topics that are covered are: designing a headline, writing an achievement list, developing a summary of qualifications, and etc.
Getting help writing your resume and submitting it
I’ve talked with many people who are unsure how to submit their resumes, once they’ve created it. Commonsense says by mail, fax, email or person, right? Right, but it’s best to follow the instructions given in a newspaper ad or the human resources department of the company to which you are submitting your resume.
Besides a resume, be sure to write a persuasive cover letter that will help you get a foot in the door. The cover letter, like the resume, needs to include active, descriptive language that shows you to be excited, motivated and enthusiastic about the potential of working for the particular organization.
If you get help writing your resume, be sure to ask the person helping you about the cost of a cover letter. If you’re using a career placement center, ask about sample letters. All in all, have fun in the process…it will make the whole experience more worthwhile.
Trish Williams is a freelance writer and marketing consultant who has published numerous articles in magazines and newspapers across the country. She also works on web design, web content, graphics, promotions and copywriting.
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