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A resume is generally a one to two-page description of you and your skills, education and experiences. Resumes are very important because employers use them to decide which job applicants to interview for positions. Below is a list of things your resume should include. Refer to resume Formats for resume ideas and samples.

Contact information

Have you ever looked at an advertisement or flyer and wondered: Where is this place? or How do I contact them? Are you frustrated when you can't quickly find these details? Employers expect your contact information to be easy to locate, organized and accurate. Should you fail at this simple task, they may wonder whether you will be organized and accurate in your work performance.

Place your basic contact information at the top of your resume:

Name, address, phone numbers, and email address
Don't use an unprofessional email address such as: banana_buns, hottie4u and blondechick
- Have a professional voice mail message. Avoid loud background music, slang and improper workplace language
Include your website or your eFolio Minnesota addresses

Sample contact information

Elizabeth (Lisa) Smith
1443 Minnesota Lane
City, Minnesota
55555

651.123.4567 (home) * 612.123.4567 (cell)
esmith@email.com
http://www.esmith.com

Objective

An objective statement makes the purpose of your resume clear. It is an optional section that you can use to let an employer know your specific job or career goal. You may choose to modify your objective when you use your resume for other purposes. If you decide not to include an objective in your resume, be sure to state it in your cover letter.

Sample objective statement

�To obtain a challenging position as an administrative assistant in the financial services industry.�

Summary statements

The summary statements identify your qualifications (i.e. work experiences, achievements, and skills) near the top of your resume. A summary statement may be used in place of or along with an objective. It highlights your main qualifications in order to generate interest and grab the employer�s attention. Even if an employer doesn't have the chance to read your entire resume, this summary will give them a good idea of your qualifications. The summary may be a bulleted list of up to 10 skills and achievements, or it may be presented as a 5-6 line block of text. Consult resume verbs when creating your summary statement.

Sample summary statement

"Resourceful Planner/Coordinator with extensive knowledge of inventory control and on-line inventory systems. Recognized by management for innovation and initiative in implementing JIT techniques, as well as interdepartmental communications and supervisory skills."

Employment history

Your work experience may be presented in a variety of ways. The most traditional and straightforward format to use is the chronological. Start by listing your current or most recent job, and work backwards in time. Include your job title, your employer�s name, the city and state in which it is located, and the starting and ending dates of your employment (month and year). Follow these entries with a summary of your responsibilities and accomplishments in this position.

Administrative Assistant (January 2002-Present)
ABC Financial Services, Minneapolis, MN

Supported three department managers with word processing, scheduling, and filing.
Generated reports to summarize monthly activities.

Remember the goal is to advertise you, not your current or former employer. What is more noticeable in the above example? Bold font and bulleted items emphasize the job seeker's ability. The place of employment is simply noted but given lesser importance. Refer to resume Formats for resume ideas and samples of chronological, functional, and combination resumes.

Education

List your educational accomplishments, starting with your highest degree. Include your degree, the name of the institution attended, and its location.

Other information

Include relevant information that relates to the job you are applying for. These may include memberships to organizations, volunteer work, military experiences, awards and hobbies. Avoid mentioning religious, political and controversial affiliations you have, unless they directly relate to the job you want.

Employers assume that you can provide them with references. Always avoid including references on your resume. Refer to guidelines for selecting references.

Source: Creative Job Search, Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development.
Page last updated in August 2008.