How to Write Your Own Homemade Resume

As a professional freelance writer, I have written everything from book reviews to company start up plans. You name it- I have written it. Except for resumes. I didn’t like to write resumes. Just when I had sworn off writing these job hunters’ documents, though, my friend Gale became a victim of corporate downsizing. She needed a new job to support herself and her family. But first, Gale needed a resume. And who do you think she turned to to fulfill that need?

A resume is basically a list of your employment history. It’s also a list of your assets, your experience, former job titles, and other information about your contributions as an employee.
Since your resume represents who you are in the world of employment, it must make the best impression possible.

The best place to start your own homemade resume, is to write a first draft. Don’t worry about the
content or the spelling or punctuation, just write down your employment history as best as you can remember it. Write down items such as places you have worked, your job titles, what you did there, and your accomplishments.

After you’ve completed your rough draft, you’ll need to go back and fill in and verify the facts. That means if you’re missing pertinent information such as employment dates, supervisor names, business addresses, et cetera, you’ll need to find it. And if you’re not sure of your facts, then you’ll need to verify them.

Now, the heading of your resume will include your personal information. This information is your full name, home address, home phone number with area code, cell phone number, FAX number, (if applicable), and e-mail address. It should look professional, something like this:

John W. Smith
123 Main Street
Anytown, New York 19884
(123) 555-5555 Home Phone
(123) 555-6666 Cell Phone
jwsmith@abc.com

Below that, you’ll need to list your employment objective on your homemade resume. This statement tells your prospective employer what type of job you are seeking and why. An example: “EMPLOYMENT OBJECTIVE- Seeking an employment opportunity as an Assistant Data Manager in a thriving organization where my effective supervisory skills can be utilized to the fullest extent.”

The next step is to list your former employers, their physical addresses, phone numbers, and the names of your supervisors. Also, include a short description of your job titles and duties associated with them. Remember to use descriptive adjectives when you explain your job duties and assets on your homemade resume.

Don’t forget to mention any promotions, awards, achievements, and accomplishments you received at each place of employment.

Now it’s time to add an “Education” section on your resume. This section will include high school graduation, college, technical schools, universities, and the like that you have attended.

The next section will be titled, “Professional Skills.” This is where you’ll really “toot your own horn”, so to speak. List your talents and professional strengths. Examples of these could include:
Supervisory skills; Public Relations; Problem Solving; Communications; Computer Programming Skills; Skilled in Microsoft Word; Negotiations; and Mechanical Aptitude. Remember to make your talents and strengths come to life by adding adjectives to your list.

And, finally, at the bottom of your homemade resume, is where you would normally list your references. This list of at least three people will be able to attest to your fine work ethics. Or, they may know you personally and can give a good word about your outstanding personality.

Now before you use a person’s name as a reference, you should ask them for permission first. Not sure who to list? Use friends, neighbors, or your minister, but don’t include family members or past employers.

If you choose, you can just type in the statement, “References Available Upon Request” at the bottom of your homemade resume.

You’ll need to spell check and proofread your entire resume. It shouldn’t be more than two pages long. If it is, then you should go back and shorten it up by eliminating non-essential information.

Print your homemade resume out on white paper, and you’re ready to go job hunt! Good Luck!

(Oh, and by the way, Gale got a new job with the resume I wrote for her!)

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