Resume

Resume

A Resume is a document used by individuals to present their background, skills, and accomplishments. Resumes can be used for a variety of reasons, but most often they are used to secure new employment. A typical resume contains a "summary" of relevant job experience and education. The resume is usually one of the first items, along with a cover letter and sometimes an application for employment, which a potential employer sees regarding the job seeker and is typically used to screen applicants, often followed by an interview.

History

The word resume comes from the French résumé, which means "summary". Leonardo da Vinci is credited with the first resume, though his "resume" takes the form of a letter written about 1481–1482 to a potential employer, Ludovico Sforza. For the next 450 years, the resume continued to be a mere description of a person, and included their abilities and past employment. In the early 1900s, resumes listed things like weight, height, marital status, and religion. It was not until 1950 that the resume evolved into something more than words written on scraps of paper.

Content

A resume is divided into several sections. Although the names may vary, the following sections are often included:

• Contact Information: The first section of a resume includes the applicant's full name, mailing address, phone number, and email address.
• Objective: An objective is a concise statement that outlines your career direction. It is not always necessary to include this section, particularly if you have a clear career goal and are applying to specific positions or fields.
• Experience: This section includes a chronological list of the applicant's previous employment, including the dates of employment, the company's name and location, and a description of duties and responsibilities.
• Education: This section includes the applicant's educational background, including the names and locations of schools attended, dates of graduation, degrees earned, and any special awards or honors received.
• Skills: This section includes a list of the applicant's skills that are relevant to the job they are applying for.

Types of Resumes

There are several basic types of resumes used to apply for job openings. Depending on your personal circumstances, choose a chronological, a functional, combination, or a targeted resume.

• Chronological Resume: A chronological resume starts by listing your work history, with the most recent positions listed first. Your jobs are listed in reverse chronological order with your current, or most recent job, first.
• Functional Resume: A functional resume focuses on your skills and experience, rather than on your chronological work history.
• Combination Resume: A combination resume is a mix between a chronological resume and a functional resume. At the top of the resume is a list of one’s skills and qualifications. In the middle of the resume, a list of one’s work experience in chronological order is provided.
• Targeted Resume: A targeted resume is a resume that is customized to specifically highlight the experience and skills you have that are relevant to the job you are applying for.

See also

• Curriculum vitae
• Bio data
• Job hunting
• Employment