Starting from Scratch: The First Draft

Although most job seekers retain a copy of their last resume on file, it may be of benefit to construct a new one from the ground up if the old one is out of date by more than one or two years.

Start by listing basic details (e.g., time and place) regarding education and job history. Next, fill in job duties and course of study. Then list any credible awards, honors, or distinctions. If additional information is needed to fill the first page, consider adding relevant volunteer work or professional development courses.

At this point, it is advisable for the job seeker to weigh his or her education and qualifications against those of the position(s) sought. If a strong match exists, he or she should consider constructing a Chronological Resume and proceed to refine the original draft (click here for tips).

If employment history is spotty or unrelated to his or her field of interest, it may be to the seeker's advantage to construct a Functional Resume. Alternatively, the seeker may wish to highlight certain skills with a Combination Resume. In either case, the seeker should review his or her job duties and list the skills required to perform them; the skills can now be presented directly to the Employer in order of importance.