Ask Me Help Desk - Writing a Resume. What Do You Think Are the Most Effective Ways of Doing It?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Clough

Carrots as opposed to bullets for the lines?

Carrots??

No, use broccoli.

Grrrr...

You know what I mean!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Clough

Grrrr....

You know what I mean!

Grrrr yourself!

For bullets: I use Word and its little arrows or checkmarks if the resume will end up printed or as an attachment. If it's submitted in an e-mail text box, I use asterisks or hyphens or greater-than signs.

Maybe you should give up on me, Wondergirl...

I think that bullets look the neatest and most professional. What do you think, please?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Clough

I think that bullets look the neatest and most professional. What do you think, please?

I haven't a clue what you're talking about. A bullet is a generic name for a little thingie in front of a line you want to emphasize.

* scoops litter
+ cleans birdcages
- walks dogs
> washes elephants
~ grooms lions

You use the same kind throughout your resume (for consistency's sake).

To my understanding, a bullet looks like a little ball or rectangle that's filled in.

Can't really provide an example right now.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Clough

To my understanding, a bullet looks like a little ball or rectangle that's filled in.

Can't really provide an example right now.

I know what you mean. Bullet, asterisk, hyphen, infinity sign, greater-than sign, arrow, checkmark -- whatever floats your boat.

I'm trying to describe the thing that just looks totally black and solid. Those, to me, would appear to be the most professional looking on a resume.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Clough

I'm trying to describe the thing that just looks totally black and solid. Those, to me, would appear to be the most professional looking on a resume.

I've had great success with Word's arrows.

Do you think that using arrows would be okay on a resume?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Clough

Do you think that using arrows would be okay on a resume?

Yes, if they're the cute ones on Word, and not made too big or small.

Go to Format, then Bullets and Numbering to see a bunch of different types.

By not too big or small, what do you mean, please?

I'm already well-versed in the use of Microsoft Word.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Clough

By not too big or small, what do you mean, please?

I'm already well-versed in the use of Microsoft Word.

Then you should know that under Format -> Bullets, you can vary the size of the bullet style that you have chosen. Too small, they disappear and don't do what you want them to. Too large, they overwhelm the text. You have to find the right size, probably the same point size as your text, but maybe not.

When I'm on my own computer, I'll format and attach a template for you to look over. Can't do that on the computer that I'm using presently.

Thanks!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Clough

So, what about high points to note in it in order to make it a one pager?

That's pretty tough for me because of the variety of things that I've done.

Clough, for what it's worth, you seem to be concerned about what YOU have done. That's never the point of a resume. It's not about you, it's about the person you are sending the resume to.

Having received hundreds of resumes in my day, I was always quick to discard resumes that spoke of what they had done, with little info about what they could do for me (my company).

And, unless you're in sales, don't key on revenues brought in - that's a big mistake many make, and a mistake that's immediately obvious to the person reading the resume.

As wondergirl said, the only reason for sending a resume is to get an INTERVIEW - NEVER to get a job. The job comes later.

And, never, never, never attach a photograph of yourself to a resume (unless you're a model or something).

One page is essential no matter how long you've worked. That's all I ever needed to make a decision on whom to see. Force yourself to focus, excessive blabbering winds up in the trash.

Good luck.

Good advice, Athos! But, I really was asking about resumes in general.

Thanks!