Whether you are applying for a part-time or a full-time job, a summer job or an internship, you will need a resume that will make you stand out from all the other applicants. The resume will help you open doors to job opportunities if it concisely displays your education, experience, and talents.

A resume's purpose is to give prospective employers a glimpse of an applicant. If you want the employer to take a second look, you must make a good first impression. A good resume can make anyone stand out in a crowd, but a poor resume can keep even the best candidate from getting an interview. Details, including grammar and spelling, are crucial to making a good impression.

You want the employer to notice your resume, but attention-getters like bright colors, oversized paper and unusual lettering will only draw attention to your deficiencies if the content is weak. Some applicants have gone to extremes such as having resumes printed on oversized, bright orange, fluorescent paper and even on T-shirts. These tactics do get attention, but many employers dismiss them without bothering to read them because they are gimmicky and don't follow the normal rules for resumes.

Unless you are applying for a highly creative job in a very creative company or industry, it is best to use high-quality white or off-white paper for your resume. Type or print your resume using a word processor and a letter-quality printer.

It is best to keep your resume to one page, especially for high school students who don't have a great deal of work experience. Two pages is acceptable if the space is necessary, but don't go into everything you have ever done just to fill the space. Be as general as possible to allow for a variety of opportunities. For example, if a student says in his resume that he plans to pursue a career in nursing, employers in other fields may not consider his or her application.

A resume should have one-inch margins all around the page. There should be a space between each section and each item in the resume. Don't use the word "I" in your resume. "I" will be assumed when you use phrases that begin with active verbs describing what you have done. For example, say, "Designed set for Senior Class Play" or CCoordinated June Class magazine sale."

The tone of the resume should positively display your strengths and reflect your educational and work experiences. The information must be honest, because companies do check with former employers and club advisors.

list your education after your name and address. In this section, you can list special areas of study like business, science, math or English courses. If you have a high grade point average, include it. If it is mediocre or worse, leave it out.

Include experience, even if you have had little or no paid job experience. Include volunteer work and projects you've worked on including class committees, teacher aide and tutoring positions and club offices that demonstrate leadership and dependability. If you have held more part-time jobs than will fit on your resume, pick three to five positions that best describe your strengths. List your most recent job first, followed by the others.

Personal information can be more of a minus than a plus for a job applicant. Never include a picture with your resume and do not mention height or weight. Only mention hobbies and interests if they could be related to a job. For example, if you are applying for a job in an art store, your painting hobby may be a plus. However, an employer might see your membership on a softball team as something that would keep you from being free to work all hours.

You may include references on your resume, but this is not reqwuired. if you choose not to list names, do say, "References available upon request." Ask people for permission to use their names as references. Choose three people who know you well enough to speak well on your behalf.

Remember, a well-written resume may be the only chance you have to impress a perspective employer.
copyright 2009 by Marilyn Murphree