How to prepare a Resume

Whether you need to prepare a resume from scratch for the first time, or have one reviewed and improved, we can help.  Please review the 5 options below and select the option that best meets your needs.

[1] Have your current resume reviewed.

If you have created a resume, but feel it needs to be improved and are unsure how to accomplish this, please feel free to email a copy of your resume to us.

Please specify what changes you need, or what you are attempting to do with your resume.  We'll either respond via email with advice, or invite you to meet to discuss your resume.

[2] Using a free online resume writing tutorial, learn about the purpose, styles and contents of a resume.

This excellent online tutorial is highly recommended for first time resume writers. This tutorial will:

• Introduce you to the various styles of resumes (chronological, functional, combination) used by most job seekers and help you determine which style you should use.

• Teach you about the various sections (Objective, Summary, Employment History, Educational History, etc.) of a resume and what information should be included in each section.

Click here to use the resume tutorial.

Resume Critique Checklist
 

Print a copy of this checklist and use it to determine if your resume is ready to go!
 

Struggling trying to find the right words to describe your work responsibilities and accomplishments?

[3] Create a resume using a pre-made template.

A resume template is actually a partially completed resume.  All of the various headings (Objective, Summary, Work History, etc.) are in place followed by "text holders," places where you can enter your own information.

Pros and cons: A resume template allows you to quickly prepare a resume - faster than all other options.  However, you are restricted to the design and content as contained in the template.  Most suited for first-time resume writers and for job seekers with a basic or limited background.

Directions:

1. Download any of the Microsoft Word templates below.

2. Using your word processing program, edit the templates by adding in your own information.

Chronological resume
Functional resume
Combination resume

If so, click here to visit the O*Net Code Connector.

1. Select the occupational field that contains your occupation.

2. Click on the occupation.

3. Note the tasks that will appear.

4. Use these tasks as guidelines to writing your own job descriptions and accomplishment - just add your own facts and figures.

[4] Create a resume from scratch using a "basic" online resume building program.

Choices Planner, a free service of the Florida Department of Education offers an online resume building program to help you create a resume.  Resume builders prompt you step-by-step through the creation of a resume, with advice along the way.  Just follow the directions online and enter the information as requested.  There is no time limit, so you may work at your own pace and feel free to stop and start as often as you wish.

Pros and cons: This is a basic resume writing program, but it's free!  It offers some advice regarding how to create a resume, but its formatting options are limited.  If you prefer a program that offers a higher level of professional advice and a wide range of formatting options, please see Option 5 below.

Directions: print these directions before you begin, as you'll need them next to you to access the Resume Builder program.

[5] Create a resume from scratch using a "professional" online resume building program.

Listed below are a number of websites that offer - for a small fee - a professional online resume building program.  Like Option 4 above, all you have to do is follow the directions online and enter the information as requested.  There is no time limit, so you may work at your own pace and feel free to stop and start as often as you wish.

Pros and cons: the professional advice that is available at each step in the program, the number of examples, and the formatting options available from each of these services are far superior to the free service mentioned in Option 4 above.  The down side is you have to pay for these services.  The average fee is $30.

10 Minute Resume by Pongo software

OptimalResume.com

Resume Builder.com

Resume Maker.com