Contents and Structures of Your Résumé


The most frequent selection tool that organizations use is résumé (Cole, 2003). It is the first introduction of applicants when applying for open positions. (Amundadottir, 2013) Using résumé enable the applicant to put his best foot forward, showing only his good side. (Imbong, 2012)

Job seekers send their résumé to organizations they are interested in. Applicants provide information pertaining to their KSOA‟s (knowledge, skills, and other abilities), education, and prior work experience in their résumé that recruiters measure and evaluate. There they are screened for information that can be relevant to the organization and/or job positions that are available. It has been suggested in prior research, that résumé content can provide employers a cost-effective, convenient, quick, and fair selection tool that might predict overall abilities and the likelihood of hiring individuals. (Cole, 2003; Einarsdóttir et.al, 2012). Recruiters use the résumé information to form an opinion regarding whether or not the applicant has certain skills and abilities needed for the available position to be successful at their jobs.

Indeed, it is necessary for you to have a good and well-written résumé because it is your passport to land you on the job interview. Presenting your passport to the recruiter somehow reflects your true personality; it may or may not fit the organization by the recruiter’s perception.

Here are the following contents and structures that might guide you:


HEADING
The NAME, ADDRESS, PHONE NUMBER, and EMAIL should be on top of the page, whether on the left or center, for them to remember your name. The name must stand out. The name must be capitalized, and the full name should be spelled out with increased font size. Bold letters are optional.

Your phone number should be currently in use. They will call or text you at any time, so don’t leave your phone unattended. As much as possible never change your phone number, once you send your résumé to your desired employer. They may still contact you for another opportunity even if they left your résumé hanging for several months.

The email should also spell out containing your Given Name and Surname. Many people used to nickname their email like d0uch3bA6_alkz@yahoo.com, iamjenjen@gmail.com, or r0ck@ro1l2dworld100@yahoo.com, these are absolutely unpleasing to the eye so better refrain from using these. There is no hyperlink in the email. Include a line or other minor graphic to set the heading apart from the rest of the résumé.


SUMMARY
This section is a summary statement of your profile and your overall core competencies. It may indicate your accomplishment from previous jobs or your contributions that have an impact on your career. You may also indicate your board exam results or any licensure examination you passed. Also may contain additional information about the author's skills.


OBJECTIVE
It implies your purpose: what you are applying for, what makes you the best candidate, and what you can offer to the organization. Make it at least direct to the point; do the same with your SUMMARY. The one who will read does not want their time to take too long. They are busy with that. Do not waste their time reading to your flowery words, for trying to keep you in good shape, because if you do they might put your résumé to thrash.


WORK HISTORY/WORK EXPERIENCE
Lists reverse chronological order. Entries are in reverse chronological order. This means you have to put your work history/work experience from the current time down to the previous work history/experience. This section includes your Job Title, Company Name, Work Address, the Date of Work, and your Duties and Responsibilities a.k.a. Job Description. The job description may help you excel from among the candidate but this would occupy much of space in your paper. Instead of putting all of your bulleted-style job descriptions, substitute your Job Summary. Anyway, job description is optional, you may not indicate it but you can divulge it during the job interview conversation or upon the interviewers’ request. You may also indicate the pieces of training you attended and projects you contribute related to the job you are applying.


EDUCATION
List your educational attainment in reverse chronological order. The official degree name is listed and spelled out. The degree is not abbreviated like "BA" in Bachelor in Arts. The name of the institution and location, and the date degree is received or anticipated are included. Listed with graduation month and year. May include study abroad, research, academic honors, or other related information. GPA is listed. Ask the school for your certified Grade Point Average. List the key courses relevant to the job you are applying for.


PERSONAL DATA
Include here your Civil Status, Sex, Date of Birth, Height, Weight, and Affiliations.


Other few things to put in mind to ensure that your résumé is polished and easy to read and the reviewer can easily reach you.

Appearance
The résumé must not appear overcrowded where white space fills up too long. Page margins are balanced and appropriate. Font style and layout must be consistent. It must be readable. The résumé is printed using quality paper. The information must be clear with consistent use of special characters and styles, for example, periods, italics, indentions, and etc.

Organization
The résumé is written in reverse chronological order when listing items as read in the experience and education section. The current one is listed first. It must showcase strengths while matching the job requirements.

Grammar and Spelling
The résumé must have no spelling errors and correct grammar is used. Again abbreviated terms must be avoided.

That is all I could share. As you noticed I do not include references and other things. References should disclose upon the interviewers' request, so be ready for the hard copy and other pertinent credentials. The trend here is to use every inch of space to market yourself. Do not put too many details in your résumé. Every detail about a personal matter such as who is your mother, father, brother, or sisters or the whole family picture should exclude. Any personal detail is answerable during the job interview. Remember you only sell yourself to the company, not your family, relatives, or acquaintances. Among other things, keep your paper short, as much as possible one page. Don’t prepare it as a novel. However, two pages or more are usually situated for people who had long, broad, and substantial experiences.


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