Writing Your First Resume: Where to Start

Have you managed to avoid writing a resume until now? Well, there’s no time like the present to dig in and create a fantastic piece that will land you all kinds of interviews. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, know that the most important thing about writing a resume—whether it’s your first or four hundredth—is that they’re all about marketing, no matter what field you’re in. Lots of people likely have a comparable degree and work experience that’s similar to yours. The trick is in effectively marketing your greatness.

• Design it well. How your resume is laid out can have more of an impact than just about anything that’s on it. Here’s why: if it’s too chaotic or unfocused, hiring managers won’t spend more than two seconds trying to decipher it before tossing it. Organize the sections in ways that make sense; that may mean a traditional format where all of your education and work experience is grouped, or it could be a functional format where similar skills are grouped. Above all, make sure that your resume is consistent in design—don’t use bullets in one section and numbers in another, for example—and clutter-free.

• Start with an objective. Besides your name and contact information, the first portion at the top of a resume should be an objective or summary. This lets potential employers know which job you’re applying for, allowing them to route your resume effectively. If you’re creating your first resume because of limited work experience, you’ll likely want to choose an objective (a one-sentence goal) over a summary (a rehash of your career highlights). Tip: Use a sample resume objective to get off to a good start.


• Emphasize the right things. Whether you’re a student who’s new to the nine-to-five world or someone who’s been with the same company for 40 years (and, hence, has never needed a resume), you may have similar fears: no experience in the first case and not enough diverse experience in the second. As a jumping off point, brainstorm all of the skills you’ve gleaned through your job(s) and community service. If you don’t have much in the way of relevant job experience, it makes sense to showcase the skills you can bring to an organization.

• Eliminate irrelevant information. Some people who feel like they lack sufficient work experience will “fill out” their resume with things that shouldn’t be there. An academic award you received is perfectly acceptable, but listing your top honors in the 4-H fair doesn’t exactly scream “professional.” And as tempting as it may be, including a section on your hobbies is a definite no-no.

• Target a position. Writing a resume is much easier—not to mention more effective—when it’s geared toward a specific job. When you find a job ad that’s attractive, go over their “wants” and integrate these requirements into your resume. Researching help wanted ads will also help you determine what employers in your field are looking for in general.

• Resist the urge to be negative. Don’t include things like, “While I don’t have much experience…” or “Other people are probably more qualified for this position, but…” Your job is to sell yourself as the best candidate for a job, period. Don’t give employers any reason to think, “Well, even he thinks he’s under-qualified.”

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