A
résumé* is a screening device for employers.
The odds of the average résumé generating a job is about 8%
according to Bolles, author of "What Colour is your
Parachute".
A résumé is a closed system, meaning that you only
have 1 to 2 pages to prove to the employer that you have the
skills, experience, training and abilities to do the job you
are seeking.
| A résumé is a 1-2 page summary of who you are and what
you have done. It is usually the first impression an
employer has of you, so it is very important that you do
it well. |
| A résumé
doesn't get you a job. Its purpose is to get you invited for a job interview |
What are Employers looking For:
| A match to see whether your skills, experience,
abilities and training match their job requirement needs |
| Positive indicators to see if your personality traits,
work habits and interpersonal skills fit their
organizational needs |
| Evidence of your Accomplishments/Achievements.
The quality (poor-satisfactory-excellent) and quantity
(how much) of your abilities/skills. |
Types of Résumés
There are three types of résumés:
Chronological: This type of résumé lists your
previous work experience by starting with your present or most
recent job and working back. This is the most popular and most
preferred résumé style for employers.
Functional: This type of résumé lists your skills
and achievements in categories. This style is popular for
career changers and people who have gaps in their employment
history.
Combination: This type of résumé combines the
features of a chronological résumé with a functional résumé;
emphasizes the kinds of work that you have done, rather that
the positions you have held.
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*It is
common to write the word "Resume" with an
"e" instead of "é", which is from
French origin. In our pages, however, we'll use "é"
to write the word "Résumé" |