Essential Information

1. Name, address, phone (with area code) and e-mail address.
2. Education (in reverse order)
a. All schooling/training after high school
b. List degree/certificate received; if none, give the years you attended
c. School name, city, state
d. Relevant courses and activities
3. Work experience (in reverse order)
a. Job title; duties and accomplishments (use action verbs: designed, repaired, supervised,   organized, etc.)
b. Dates worked, company, name, city and state
4. Qualifications
a. Not jobs you’ve had but what you know and can do
b. Skills, knowledge, licenses, ability to use equipment, and so on
5. Accomplishments
a. Not what you can do, but what you’ve done that reflects hard work, creativity, leadership, reliability and similar qualities.
b. Proofs: awards, citations, high grades, publications, language certificates
6. Military service (if any)
a. Branch, highest rank, honorable discharge
b. Job duties, security clearances
c. Schools attended and academic achievements and recognitions
7. Citizenship, if other than this country

Optional information

1. Employment or career objective: tells what kind of position you want now or in the long run
2. High school: include only if courses or activities relate to your career field
3. Clubs and organizations, including offices held
4. Job-related interests and hobbies
5. Statement that references are “available on request”

Omitted information

1. Personal data: age, sex, height, weight, health, handicaps, your picture
2. Street addresses and phone numbers of schools and jobs
3. Names of supervisors
4. Salaries
5. Reasons for leaving prior jobs
6. Names and addresses of references (to protect their privacy)

Writing and Layout

1. List only things that sell you as a good employee. Don’t list everything.
2. Make the resume easy to read. Employers skim many resumes rapidly.
a. Items are briefly stated
b. Sections are labeled and separated
c. Most important selling points stand out
d. Page is not cluttered or dense with print
e. Blank spaces reflect reader and ease the eye
3. Professional appearance
a. Neat
b. Well written and error free
c. Typed, typeset or printed by a high-resolution printer
4. Distinctive and individualized: make yours stand out from the hundreds read by employers