In addition to showing you these examples of resumes, I’m going to tell you what I, an employer, think of these resumes. We’ll focus on what they do well, and what they could improve on. So take my advice for what it’s worth.
Our first resume example is available here. This man is looking for a job as a computer technician.
1. Tailor your resume to individual employers
This is one of the keys to resume writing. You can use the same background, etc when applying to similar positions, but you should always customize your objectives statement to the individual employer.
2. The objective statement
The writer opted to have a biographical summary instead of an objective statement. Again, probably not a good idea for applying to specific jobs, but okay if you’re just throwing your resume “out on the Internet.” You should follow some rules given here for more information on objective statements.
3. The short biography
I don’t like this at all. First, it’s very vague. He mentions he has “several” years experience, why not just say five? And what does “strong communication skills” mean, really? Furthermore, there’s nothing in his resume showing communication skills. Ideally, he would discuss communication responsibilities he has had in the work history section, but he doesn’t do this.
4. Qualifications
I like the sections here. And since he’s a student, I like that qualifications shows up first. This is a functional resume style, and is useful for when you have a spotty work history, or are changing careers. One issue is that he includes past jobs in this section, which really belongs in the work history section.
5. Education
Obviously, he is an excellent student. However, his high school education is wholly irrelevant (SAT 2 math score? Who cares?). Additionally, his college education is lacking. He needs to mention his expected graduation date and GPA.
6. Work Experience
He needs to explain something about his positions, what he did, what responsibilities he had, how those show that he’s a good computer tech.
Take a look at a guide to resumes for a more comprehensive set of tips.
