How do I write a good first job resume?

How do i write a resume for my first job?

• Im 20 yrs old, and its my first interview. What do i include in my resume? I have no previous work experience, and without that, what is left? plz tell me wut i need to put and the ...show more

• Answer:

  Modern word processing programs all have templates, or fill in example documents, resumes on computers. Free computer use are available at most libraries and state employment agencies these days. A resume is a SHORT document, often one page, which briefly and efficiently stays on topic specific to the job desired. A classic way to do this is by listing: *Name: State both your legal name and nickname you go by if these are different. Using what is on a legal ID, like a drivers license is appropriate. (No social security number on the resume. That will come later.) *Contact Information: Mailing Address, Residence (if different), email, telephone. Have a way for them to contact you, by preference one you control; having your mom or daughter talk to them is embarrassing. When you give contact information, make sure it is correct and do check it daily during working hours. *Objective or Profile: What is the job you are applying for. List it EXACTLY as you saw it presented from the source information. *Experience: Usually past jobs in time order from present to past. List at least two and no more then six unless requested. Give company name, supervisors name, their contact, starting and ending date you worked there, or at least when you ended. State if the supervisors are "contactable" or not. This means the employer may call them. Talk to the supervisors before listing them to see if this is alright. If you have a not too good history with one, then don't list them. If you have no experience then "cross-reference." This means mention things which are related you have done; such as applying for a Gardening Assistant means you could list helping in grandmothers yard work for six years. Don't list too much. Short and sweet is best. Write and edit the paper well. Use a dictionary, don't trust computer spell checkers, they don't have a brain, you do. *Education: List the last and highest degree achieved. Give school name, address of city and state, degree/certificate, and year graduated. *Skills: these would be certificates, awards, non-profit work, religious leadership, even hobbies. Remember to have it appropriate to what the job is doing. Such as if you apply for management and have no management experience in work or school, you may share leadership skills from extra curricular groups you led. *Referrals: give at least one person not of your family with their name and contact. Modernly, you may state "Given upon request." Meaning you are maintaining their information security, and will give it when requested in person. Be sure to ASK the person or people, no more then three, BEFORE giving them as a reference. Asking them what they would say, or let them know it is for a certain thing you did for the reference before putting it on your resume is wise. --------------------------- The above is bare minimum. Extra credit would include: *Cover Letter: This is what it says, it physically and informational "covers" the resume when you put it in via electronic or physical presentation before the interview. A Cover Letter is written in "business letter" form. See the templates in a word processor again. Minimum is top right corner is your contact information EXACTLY the same as on the resume. Next on left side is the employers contact information. If you have that on the resume, don't have to, if yes, then have it EXACT also. One line below that on the left side is the "Dear...." part address the person the resume goes to, most job requests will tell you. Now is the letter; take three paragraphs to: 1. State who you are and what job you want. 2. State what you know the employer does and how great they are at it. 3. State a HIGHLIGHT of the skills listed in your resume and why you and this company is such a great fit. AND how you can make them do what they do better through the job you are applying for. Then close the letter by stating when you will call them for an interview. (Be sure to make the call!) Usually a week is a good time. Sign the letter with the name you have for contact on the letter heading AND on the resume. For the interview be sure to know what they need for other questionnaires, tests, and identification so you can bring items and be prepared for all this at the interview. Examples would be needing to fill out an I-9 Form; no biggie, just a federal form needing two forms of ID. Take a drivers license and social security card is usually enough. Some employers will need other information and documentation at the time of the interview