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Granted I've never been in a position that's required me to look at resumes from the other side, so my advice comes with a grain of salt. In fact, I'm not really in any position to give advice regarding resumes. Maybe you should take the whole shaker.
I believe in brevity, and also in arranging the information to optimize efficiency. I received professional assistance through a non-profit employment agency for my first resume after high school, and have applied the same basic principles to every one I've used since. Granted I'm no expert on these things, but I've had no issue finding work these past 8 years, and actually have often gotten compliments on my resumes.
Attached you will find a one page sample resume, demonstrating the basic layout.
Key points to note:
-The name is in a larger font, and is eye-catching. You want to grab attention.
-An employment objective adds a personal touch, but is optional.
-All relevant skills and certifications are summarized in one area. This prevents the potential employer from having to wade through all manner of irrelevant information to find out if I know C++ or have CCNA certification.
-Particularly important qualifications are brought to the forefront and emphasized. This will be tailored to the position being applied for.
No further information is provided here aside from the names and dates for previous employers/academic institutions.
You probably want to write a blurb for every job you've ever worked (in fact I know you do, because you have) but I firmly believe this is the wrong approach, especially when dealing with a lot of past experience that overlaps skillsets. Your future employer does not want or need to know that you received an award for always asking 'would you like fries with that?' when you worked at McDonald's as a teen, and he doesn't want or need to know that six of your eight jobs involved PC repair. If there are specific skills pertaining to the job in question, put them up top where they'll be noticed first. If there's more specific information you would like to convey, you can put it in the cover letter that I know you're sending with every single resume that goes out.
You've got lots of edumacation. Think of the resume as an essay question: Why You Should Hire Me In Thirty Seconds Or Less. If it catches the recruiter's attention he'll take the time to delve deeper, either by reading your cover letter or interviewing you. Preferably both.
On the subject of cover letters, you didn't ask for advice but I have some anyway. Avoid passive statements, and try to phrase everything as strongly as possible, ie not "I feel I'm right for the position" but "my past experience leaves me uniquely qualified for the position because X." And I also always close cover letters with some variant of the phrase "I look forward to discussing my qualifications further in person."
This is what's worked for me. Others might have other approaches.
Sincerely,
Martian
(Enc.)
__________________
I wake up in the morning more tired than before I slept
I get through cryin' and I'm sadder than before I wept
I get through thinkin' now, and the thoughts have left my head
I get through speakin' and I can't remember, not a word that I said
- Ben Harper, Show Me A Little Shame
Last edited by Martian; 05-12-2009 at 10:25 PM..
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