My First Resume - Tips Needed

The easiest way to make a resume is to use Microsoft Works, which has a resume builder. It has some neat and organized resume templates. It also gives the option of using decorative borders and such to make it more appealing. Microsoft Works is usually a basic package that is installed on all pcs and mainly used for its word processor program.

Hello, Babble05,
Thanks for replying. According to the guides that I have read and the tips that I have gotten from professionals, I should not use templates, especially those that come with any of Microsoft's word processing programs. Potential employers, I have been told, can easily figure out that I used templates and are likely to simply assume that I am lazy.

Thanks anyway,
Victor Ly

I work in an HR department - we see template resumes all the time, no big deal. Considering you are a new graduate and don't have a lot of experience, this shouldn't be seen as a negative by potential employers. The thing about templates is they keep everything neat and easy to read; it's also easy for you to be consistent in how you present yourself on paper, which is very important.

Since your most recent experience was in Sept 2007, you might want to include a section detailing the course work you completed as it would relate to the position you seek. Some of the information in your profile might be better served in a cover letter, and you should consider using an "Objective" statement instead of "Profile". If you keep the "profile" portion, I'd shorten it to the first line only, and maybe work in that you are a new graduate. The rest of the information (other languages, computer experience, etc) should go elsewhere, and ideally, be bulleted. Remember, LOTS of people apply for jobs (especially entry-level) and recruiters need to be able to glace at your resume and get an idea of your accomplishments, skills and abilities. The less wordy, the better. I do think you made a wise decision in putting your education first; that way employers can see what you've been doing most recently. Consider adding your GPA (if it's high) and add if you made it on the Dean's list or whatever.

Remember a lot of people tailor their resume to specific jobs they apply to by re-arranging the bulleted items to emphasize experience in one area over another. So, if you are applying for a position with an educational facility, you'd want to list your experience with the things most relevant to the job description first (your tutoring experience and creating curriculums). You might want to group like things together anyway, as it makes reading your resume and judging your experience a little more linear.

I'd also detail "managed various projects", as that can mean any number of things, as well as "creating curriculums". What kinds of projects? What kinds of curriculums? Since you don't have a lot of work experience, put as much info as you can on what you HAVE done.

Also, I'd stick with "assisted" instead of "helped", but I think that's more of a personal thing of mine than anything else!

Overall, it looks good. I know my post is long and has a lot of suggestions, but really, you're off to a good start. Have you checked to see if your school has a program to help Alumni prepare their resumes and cover letters? That can be a great resource too. Oh, and ALWAYS put a cover letter with your resume - it helps it stand out!

Good luck on your job search!

I also work in management and we get a lot of template resumes, and no one even thinks anything except that it is organized and professional. Besides that, the templates are more for an example other than simply using it. You have to use a template and add the additional information that you think is necessary.

LOL... Oh how fun.. Yeah.. Being organized = lazy.. Lol
I don't know who told you that, Victor, but don't ever listen to them again!

Not only does the template organize your information.. But hey.. Guess what..
Employers don't like when you waste time doing something that has already been done!
(like spending hours setting up a resume on your own when you can use a template and just throw your own personal information in, in just minutes)