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Gallery of Best Resumes

time to read all the ideas. Then, if you decide to use the services of a professional resume writer, you will be better informed about what the writer can do for you in producing your resume.

Best Resume Writing Strategies

1. Although many resume books say you should spell out the name of the state in your address at the top of your resume, consider using the states postal abbreviation instead. The reason is simple: its an address. Anyone wanting to contact you by mail will probably refer to your name and address on the resume. If they appear there as they should on an envelope, the writer or typist can simply copy the information you supply. If you spell out the name of your state in full, the writer will have to translate the name of the state to its postal abbreviation. Not everyone knows all the postal abbreviations, and some abbreviations are easily confused. For example, those for Alabama (AL), Alaska (AK), American Samoa (AS), Arizona (AZ), and Arkansas (AR) are easy to mix up. You can prevent confusion and delay simply by using the correct postal abbreviation. If you decide to use postal abbreviations in addresses, make certain that you do not add a period after the abbreviations, even before ZIP codes. This also applies to postal abbreviations in the addresses of references if you provide them. Do not, however, use the state postal abbreviation when you are indicating only the city and state (not the mailing address) of a school you attended or a business where you worked. In these cases, it makes sense to write out the name of the state. 2. Adopt a sensible form for phone numbers and use it consistently. Do this in your resume and in all the documents you use in your job search. Some forms of phone numbers make more sense than others. Compare the following: 123-4567 This form is best for a resume circulated locally, within a region where all the phone numbers have the same area code. This form is best for a resume circulated in areas with different area codes. This form suggests that the area code should be dialed in all cases. But that isnt necessary for prospective employers whose area code is 222. Avoid this form. This form is illogical and should be avoided. The slash can mean an alternate option, as in ON/OFF. In a phone number, this meaning of a slash makes little sense. This form is long, and the digit 1 is unnecessary. Almost everyone will know that 1 should be used before the area code to dial a long-distance number.

(222) 123-4567 222-123-4567

222/123-4567

1 (222) 123-4567

Best Resume Design and Layout Tips

222.123.4567

This form, resembling Internet addresses, is becoming more popular, particularly with people in computer and design fields.

Note: For resumes directed to prospective employers outside the U.S., be sure to include the correct international prefixes in all phone numbers so that you and your references can be reached easily by phone.

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Near the top of the first page, include a Profile section that is focused, interesting, and unique. If your Profile fails to grab the readers attention, he or she might discard your resume without reading further. A Profile can be your first opportunity to sell yourself. For examples of effective Profiles, see Resumes 79, 92, 101, 109, 116, 123, and many others. In the Experience section, state achievements or accomplishments, not just duties or responsibilities. The reader often already knows the duties and responsibilities for a given position. Achievements, however, can be interesting. The reader probably considers life too short to be bored by lists of duties and responsibilities in a stack of resumes. See, for example, Resume 110. If you feel you must indicate duties, call attention to special or unusual duties you performed. For example, if you are an accountant, dont say that you prepared accounting reports and analyzed income statements and balance sheets. Thats like being a dentist and saying, I filled cavities and made crowns. What did you do that distinguished you from other accountants? To be noticed, you need to stand out from the crowd in ways that display your individuality, work style, and initiative. See, for example, Resume 103. Instead of just listing your achievements, present them as challenges or problems solved, indicating what you did when something went wrong or needed fixing. See, for example, Resumes 123 and 173. When your skills and abilities are varied, group them according to categories for easier comprehension. See, for example, Resumes 34, 59, 80, 96, and 162. Consider including a Highlights section to draw attention to special accomplishments or achievements. See, for example, Resumes 6, 12, 29, 82, and 94. Summarize your qualifications and work experiences to avoid having to repeat yourself in the job descriptions. See, for example, Resumes 12 and and 94. Create a prominent Expertise section that draws together skills and abilities you have gained in previous work experience. See, for example, Resumes 84, 111, 112, 113, 132, and 141.

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Best Resume Design and Layout Tips

11. Use quality paper correctly. If you use quality watermarked paper for your resume, be sure to use the right side of the paper. To know which side is the right side, hold a blank sheet of paper up to a light source. If you can see a watermark and read it, the right side of the paper is facing you. This is the surface for typing or printing. If the watermark is unreadable or if any characters look backward, you are looking at the underside of the paperthe side that should be left blank if you use only one side of the sheet.