Resume Tips & Tricks

So you want to get your first job, but don’t know where to start. The key to a successful job search is to write a successful resume, which means you need to customize it to fit the type of job you want. So what’s the best way to create a successful resume?

• You will want to find a template that fits your experience and the type of job for which you are applying. Need a great place to start? Check out the many books in the Chicago Public Library (ask your librarian for help) or the recommended web sites listed below.
  
• You may not have much work experience yet, so it’s important to think creatively. If you’ve ever volunteered for a project or organization, list this experience on your resume. Brainstorm with your friends and family; they may be able to help to think of projects you might be overlooking or hadn’t previously considered, like your Service Learning Hours at the Chicago Public Library. If your volunteering experiences are limited, considered special school projects on which you’ve worked, awards you’ve received or other strengths (personal and academic) that you might want to emphasize.
  
• If you are replying to a specific job advertisement, review it closely to see what types of qualifications the employer is seeking. For instance, if they are seeking someone who is good with computers and has excellent communication skills, it would be smart to emphasize what computer software programs you are comfortable using or the fact that you have been the football captain for two years (which requires leadership and communication skills).
  
• Always remember that a resume represents you and may be the first time a future employer is introduced to you, so keep it simple. Your resume should be typed and printed on plain paper. Daisies might be your favorite flower or all of your friends might think the symbol that best represents you is a football, but having these images on your resume would not only be unprofessional, it might distract from what you are trying to tell a future employer about yourself. Keep your descriptions brief and don’t exaggerate, employers will be checking. And don’t forget to proofread, proofread, proofread!
  
• Once you have the job, update your resume to keep it current.

Check out these web sites for more information:

Your Guide to Finding a New Job - Writing a Resume
The Mayor Daley’s KidStart Summer Jobs site for teens ages 14-21 offers comprehensive information about resumes – what they are and what they should contain (personal data, work experience, special skills, etc.) - and has a nice sample template.

Teen Resume Writing Worksheet
Quintessential Careers provides a helpful, printer-friendly, worksheet especially for teens on resume writing. Additional resources and advice can also be found on this site.

Resume Critique Checklist
Monster.com offers a checklist for building a resume and tailoring it to specific job searches.