Outline of a Resume

Initially, the objective of writing a resume has to be clear. A well written and winning resume is a personal marketing tool. The aim is that the person has to be called by a potential employer for an interview. A first impression is formed due to a resume. It must display the right message regarding the achievements and the value as an employee. Employers receive a large number of resumes and have a brief time to scan through each. So, the significant information must not be hidden under a heap of unimportant text. Thus, the exact message has to be sent fast. The right keywords have to be used in the resume wording.

The hiring manager must be impressed and attracted in a few seconds. Never begin the resume explaining what is the aim of the person. The employer does not care for this. What is necessary is what the person can do for the organization. There must be a hard hitting opening statement explaining the skills, personal attributes, abilities and accomplishments.

The most crucial aspect is how the person has contributed to the earlier employers work. This explanation must not be generalized, but in numbers and percentages. Job seekers that have a long and consistent work history must mention their achievements in all the jobs.

Employers are very much interested in the actual responsibilities shouldered and achievements rather than the job titles. They are reluctant to look at unrelated job titles to try to determine whether the person has the skills required for the position he has applied for. Sometimes the official title has to be followed by a more descriptive title in brackets.

Education is a basic foundation in the employment market. Although, the education is non standard or not complete, there are techniques that would make them very assertive.

Outline of a resume
Basically, a resume outline has to include the following data in a specific order mentioned below:

• name and contact details
• profile
• major achievements
• work experience/career history
• language skills
• IT skills
• education/qualification/training
• personal details
• interests/hobbies
• references
• projects

Those studying in college/universities have to mention their education before the work experience.

Name/Contact details
Name, address, telephone number, cell number, fax number, e-mail address have to be mentioned

Profile
Skills, experience, capabilities that are concerning the job applied are expected

Major achievements
Those related to procuring a project on time, enhancing the revenue or profits, optimizing procedures, improving economy as facts and figures have to be included

Career history/Work experience
The employment record has to be mentioned in reverse chronological order starting from the most current job

Language skills and IT skills
If felt essential, these may be noted

Education/Qualification/Training
The qualifications have to be listed in such a way that the most important is first rather than a chronological order

Personal details
The date of birth or marital status need not be included

Hobbies/Interests
Only those pertinent to the position applied for are expected. If the person has been working for a long period of time, then this is not required

References
This is not a mandatory section

Projects
Team class projects, academic research, individual class projects and thesis topics that demonstrate the person's skills and knowledge of various subjects

Resume writing tips
One must pay attention to detail and ensure the data is correct and error-free. There must be proofreading for spelling, grammar, tone and then the resume has to be emailed. An efficient resume has to be created by organizing the data in a logical fashion and maintaining the clarity. The hiring manager has to be addressed directly and the organization's name and position must be mentioned on the cover letter or email. The person's name and the word "resume" has to be included in the email header. Focus must be on how the employer's job can be facilitated. There has to be a professional outlook.