How To Make a Resume? Urgent!

[Chianya]

Hey everyone!

I've been going on a job hunt (like so many of us out there lol), and while I do have a resume most of the jobs I've applied for don't require one. However, I haven't gotten any of the jobs that do require a resume, so I want to do a complete overhaul since I've never been entirely sure of how it should look, to be honest. I'm looking for tips and examples but I do not want to see *your* resume, I do not need to know your personal information. I just need an example of what should be put on there and what should be left out in order to produce the optimum wanted effect

I'm actually looking to write up a new resume and cover letter (a note here: I have no idea what a cover letter is, which may be why my last resume failed lol) because I just found an ad for a job that is perfect for me, and I would like to hand deliver my resume some time tomorrow so...it's crunch time lol

Now, most of my work history is equestrian or retail; however I do have some writing experience and my dream job is to become a travel writer or a writer for a local newspaper. I need to know whether to include that information, and whether I'm allowed to leave out "in between" jobs that I had for a few months here or there. Also, there is one job I left because of sexual harassment and it was one of my most recent jobs - how should I handle that in a resume? And how should I handle the two year absence of any jobs?

This is the job I want to apply for:

Colorado Community Newspapers is looking for a friendly, energetic, and experienced receptionist for our you don't need to know where I live lol location, servicing the Pikes Peak Courier View, the Teller County Extra, and the Tribunes. Side note to mods: That's a *huge* coverage area, so nobody can pinpoint where I live from that

Duties include answering phones, opening and distributing mail, ordering supplies, running errands and other administrative duties as required. This position will also assist the sales department in making outbound calls and entering ads in our computer system, so the ideal candidate must have intermediate computer skills and feel comfortable navigating new computer programs. The successful candidate must be able to multi-task, be detail oriented, and have excellent customer service and problem solving skills.

This is a full-time, benefits eligible position that pays $10.00 to $11.00/hour, depending on experience. CCN offers medical, dental, life, short term and long term disability insurance after 90 days of employment. We also offer the opportunity to enroll in our company sponsored 401(k) plan after 6 months of employment.

Please submit cover letter, resume, and salary requirements to one of the options listed below.

I've been asking everyone because I am rather desperate for this job - I need *any* job, but I've been looking for a job as a receptionist or a job at a local newspaper so this is quite literally, the perfect job for me at the time (and ten bucks an hour is more than I've ever made so...yeah I don't have high pay expectations, I just want some money but I don't quite care how much it is right now lmao)

And if you really help me out here, or post examples or tutorials or basically try to save my behind with this resume, I *will* send you something as a thank you - and if I get this job, then whoever helps here is getting a rare as a thank you - or C$ items since I'll then have money to buy C$ with!

Thanks guys!!

EDIT: And please ask any questions that you might have that can help you help me lol I've tried uploading my current resume but it comes out garbled, so instead I can provide you with a general work history - meaning I won't give you the names of where I worked unless it was like Pier 1, but I can give job descriptions and how much I earned, etc

-A Very, Very Thankful and Hopeful Chianya

[flupine]

I could explain how to make a resume, but basically you can get a basic template anywhere.. (I.e google it) Or Microsoft 2007 has some good templates, then fill it in with your credentials. Be honest because if they call any past jobs you've held, you have no control over what the other party might say. If it's something like sexual harassment, I wouldn't be specific, vague and discreet would be better. Such as, you didn't feel comfortable with the job environment. And as for the two year absence, don't try to excuse it away, ust be honest. Honesty works best. And of course there is the whole ritual with how you present yourself. Dress as if you were ready to go to work there at any time. Posture, the way you talk and sit. Confidence and honesty or at least a fine-tuned, carefully structured version of honesty. No future employer wants to hear about problems you might have had in previous jobs or to hear you bash on other jobs as I'm sure you are well aware of neither do they want to be lied to.

And as for travel writer (a dream job for sure good luck!) Make sure the you try to tie in how you previous employment opporutunities will help you with your future job. You worked around horses? Horses are large creatures, you have to be detail oriented, extremely cautious and able to be of you surroundings at all time. You have experience with computers, took a class or something? Make sure they know that you are a "go-getter" and ready and willing to work. Lots of smiles.

And something extra: You can put your resume and cover letter in a plastic cover/essay holder or if you staple, staple it diagnally in the left-hand corner. And make sure you call them back, if they don't call you first. Being stubborn can definitely come in handy cause they will either get annoyed or they will hire you.

[Chianya]

I could explain how to make a resume, but basically you can get a basic template anywhere.. (I.e google it) Or Microsoft 2007 has some good templates, then fill it in with your credentials. Be honest because if they call any past jobs you've held, you have no control over what the other party might say. If it's something like sexual harassment, I wouldn't be specific, vague and discreet would be better. Such as, you didn't feel comfortable with the job environment. And as for the two year absence, don't try to excuse it away, ust be honest. Honesty works best. And of course there is the whole ritual with how you present yourself. Dress as if you were ready to go to work there at any time. Posture, the way you talk and sit. Confidence and honesty or at least a fine-tuned, carefully structured version of honesty. No future employer wants to hear about problems you might have had in previous jobs or to hear you bash on other jobs as I'm sure you are well aware of neither do they want to be lied to.

And as for travel writer (a dream job for sure good luck!) Make sure the you try to tie in how you previous employment opporutunities will help you with your future job. You worked around horses? Horses are large creatures, you have to be detail oriented, extremely cautious and able to be of you surroundings at all time. You have experience with computers, took a class or something? Make sure they know that you are a "go-getter" and ready and willing to work. Lots of smiles.

And something extra: You can put your resume and cover letter in a plastic cover/essay holder or if you staple, staple it diagnally in the left-hand corner. And make sure you call them back, if they don't call you first. Being stubborn can definitely come in handy cause they will either get annoyed or they will hire you.

I actually have several templates and tutorials online, that's how I built my last resume - which is why I figured I should get more human opinions this time And I agree honesty is the best key...I usually disclose that I do have fibromyalgia if the job involves physical work because I'd rather not get the job right off the bat because of that then get the job and two weeks later get fired because I can't perform at the levels they require. So I'm really thrilled that this job is something I could physically handle because I feel I can disclose the fibromyalgia (if it comes up) without fear of an automatic denial lol

About the horses...I've read that you shouldn't list the specific details of past jobs in your resume but I always did because I assumed most people don't actually know everything a stablehand does. Now, my best resume point is that for several months in NY (I only stopped because I moved), I started, own, operated and was the sole employee of a backyard barn horse care business. Should I stress the fact that I was the sole employee caring for 15 horses in 4 different barns? Or is that like...self promoting too much? I assume no since it's a resume after all, but I don't want to sound cocky or anything

And I actually think I'll use that line "was not comfortable with the work atmosphere" if they inquire why I left that particular job, that is by *far* the most elegant way of explaining what happened that I've seen yet lol

Thank you very, very much

-Chianya

[flupine]

Your welcome. And the templates on line or on any programs are just fine, we used them in a business class I took. And the whole point of a resume is to toot your own horn. So do it, they will only know what you did, if you tell them. Just make it sound as professional as possible. You don't necessarily have to disclose every detail. just the ones that potentially help you with this job. You list taking care of large animals and why. Experience with multi tasking and being aware of surrounds at all times while paying attention to detail due to the nature of the job. You don't necessarily say you owned a backyard horse car business. You temporarily owned a small buisness in charge of up to 15 horses at a time. You were your own boss and only employee, in charge of such in such with such and such duties that include such. You had to multitask, taught you the work that is involved. that kind of thing. Just make it sound as professional as possible, how it relates to the job you are applying for and DO toot your own horn. No one else will do it for you and it's cut-throat trying to get a job. Also, it wouldn't hurt to have a sample portfolio. Did you go to school for journalism or planning to?

[Chianya]

Your welcome. And the templates on line or on any programs are just fine, we used them in a business class I took. And the whole point of a resume is to toot your own horn. So do it, they will only know what you did, if you tell them. Just make it sound as professional as possible. You don't necessarily have to disclose every detail. just the ones that potentially help you with this job. You list taking care of large animals and why. Experience with multi tasking and being aware of surrounds at all times while paying attention to detail due to the nature of the job. You don't necessarily say you owned a backyard horse car business. You temporarily owned a small buisness in charge of up to 15 horses at a time. You were your own boss and only employee, in charge of such in such with such and such duties that include such. You had to multitask, taught you the work that is involved. that kind of thing. Just make it sound as professional as possible, how it relates to the job you are applying for and DO toot your own horn. No one else will do it for you and it's cut-throat trying to get a job. Also, it wouldn't hurt to have a sample portfolio. Did you go to school for journalism or planning to?

I didn't go to school for journalism but I do have a portfolio on hand, however the job is for receptionist so I'm not sure they'll want my portfolio right away. But I went and tweaked a few things on my resume to make to sound more professional so that combined with the brand spanking new cover letter I just wrote, hopefully I'll come across as quite qualified for the job Thanks very much flupine, several of your tips helped me tune my resume so it actually looks like I know what I'm doing as far as writing a resume

I've gotten to the point where if I tweak it much more I'll go nuts and redo the whole thing, but just for S&G here's my cover letter (can't post the resume obviously lol)

I am responding to the ad that you posted on Craigslist.com (dated November 2nd, 2009) regarding the receptionist position at Colorado Community Newspapers. I have great interest in attaining an entry level position in a local newspaper, and I believe that I have the personality and skills required to excel as a receptionist for your company. Please consider this as my formal application for the receptionist position in your company.

While I do not have experience as a receptionist, many of my past jobs required multi-tasking and working one-on-one with customers. Throughout the years I have developed a great many people skills, and I am also quite comfortable working with computers, as well as handling the telephone. I have enclosed a copy of my resume further detailing my work history, achievements, and the skills that I would bring to the job.

May I set up a formal interview with you to further discuss the possibility of my joining your team at Colorado Community Newspapers? I am available for an interview at any time that would suit you best. Thank you very much for your time and consideration.

Aanndd now I just have to pray! And, you know, submit the resume tomorrow And maybe get an interview straight away **prays some more** lol

-Chianya

[clover123]

Here are some practical tips for formatting your resume:

Use a simple font. Do not use a decorate font. Times New Roman and Arial parse most accurately and are the "standard" fonts for business communication, which your resume is.
Use a standard font size. For business communications, fonts of 10 and 12 points are the norm.

Avoid using charts, pictures, tables or graphs in your resume. These rarely make it through. If you have information that needs to be in that format, consider an addendum to your resume or, perhaps, a web page that you have created that stores the information, with a link to the web page from your resume.
If you are applying for a job where it's important to show off your formatting or creative skills to land a job, such as a Web Designer or Graphic Artist position, distribute copies of your fancy paper resume at interviews. Better yet, send both a fancy and plain resume format, or create a fancy Web resume and portfolio, and include the URL in your emailed resume or cover letter.
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[JMendelman]

Hi Chi!! aw gosh If I had a job, or was old enough to have a job, Id help, but Im only 12.... >.>

Well, best of luck to you!!!! *crosses fingers, toes, and eyes and legs and arms* *falls over*

[Chianya]

Thanks for the original advice Clover! It was a relief because I did do my resume in Times New Roman, but I was afraid like, it's be common knowledge to do it in Veranda and by doing it in Times I was showing I didn't know what I was doing, or some crud like that XD

And thanks JM!!! They won't fill the position until next week (or they're trying to fill it within a week but it'll be a few days at most), and now Corporate Headquarters wants an application to so I filled that out today but overall, from talking with the people at the business it actually sounds like I have a more than fair shot at getting the job so **joing JM and crosses eyes, fingers toes arms leggs - falls over** lmao

-Chi