How To Make A Resume

Open up Microsoft Word. You may have to find it by clicking on the start button. Then look under the menus of All Programs / Microsoft office / MS Word. MS Word opens up to its main interface. It should look like the following picture. Below is the 2003 version which is the familiar interface for most public terminals found at your local library. On your far right, a task pane will open with options to select your template’s location. Click on the Other Documents tab then on Resume Wizard, and OK. You can click any style you want. But for this guide, we use Elegant. Click next when ready.

Choose the type of resume to use. One way to do that is to choose the resume format that best highlights your experience, education, and skills. Let’s help you pick. The most commonly used resume format is the chronological resume. On a chronological resume, your work history is listed by job title beginning with your current or most recent job. A less popular resume format among recruiters and hiring staff, the functional resume highlights your skills without revealing the dates associated with your job history. The functional resume minimizes specific job titles and eliminates dates of employment , while emphasizing your abilities and skills by placing them in functional skill categories. You can combine the two previous types.

The combination resume format combines the functional and chronological formats. It includes functional skill categories, but also lists the dates of previous employment. To learn more in greater detail, including examples, please visit the GCFLearnfree.org's resume types. To review, the most common is Chronological, highlighting steady employment history and if all your previous employment is related to the position being sought. Functional highlights your skills even if in unrelated job and for those with gaps in their employment history, recently graduated, or changing career directions. For most people’s use, the entry level is where you want to start. Once you choose, click Next.

So look now, we are half-way done with the wizard! Here, we fill in your contact information. What Contact Information Should You Include, You probably already know that your contact information -- which includes your name, address, phone number, and email address -- should always appear at the top of your resume, regardless of which resume format you use. But did you know that some employers actually use the contact information section to screen out undesirable candidates, They may pass you over if you live in another part of the country, to avoid paying relocation costs. Or they may form a negative opinion about you if your contact information is inappropriate in some way.