Seeking a job in today’s day and age may not be the easiest thing to do, especially considering the high levels of specification that often come with certain careers or positions. Often viewed as some sort of template document, the professional resume is an important tool that when utilized properly, can make all the difference in applying for a particular job. For the longest time, I too was under the impression that there could only be one proper way to produce a resume; that is, if I were lacking certain qualifications, my resume simply felt empty compared to that of one of my peers. However, the informative article “Resume Writing” produced by the University of California at Berkley does an excellent job at highlighting the essential aspects of a resume, placing emphasis on presentation, language and selection of detail based on the position one may be applying for.

One of the key decisions a person must make when applying for a particular position is choosing the type of resume that will be best for them in terms of marketability. Under the notion that a potential employer may only view an individual’s resume from somewhere between eight and thirty seconds, it becomes of high importance to organize the resume in a fashion that highlights the key components of what you are trying to sell to the interviewer. The two most common types of resumes are a skills resume and a chronological resume; more often than not, a chronological resume is the more universal and applicable resume style. In lieu of these ideas, constructing the resume around what an employer is seeking is completely possible, simply on the merit of organization and presentation.

For example, when listing education, a section that would almost never be absent on a resume, it is important to prioritize the order in which information is presented. Contrary to my own initial belief, the emphasis should not be placed on the institution or university from which you graduated, but rather the degree you received. This again relates to the idea of what you are trying to sell; the university from which you came isn’t of the upmost importance, it’s the specific educational qualifications that they are more than likely looking for.

An additional factor to consider when listing educational attainments is placing an emphasis on college, especially when applying for a job in a professional field. However, for some, myself included, there may not be a whole lot that particularly seems to stand out in that section. In light of this, there are a number of possible solutions. By listing an interesting or impactful course you succeeded in that may also bear a specific connection to your field of application, it could perhaps set you apart from other applicants by highlighting your passion and familiarity within the topic. Even something as much as a well-written undergraduate thesis or similar research endeavors that may not seem all that important could have a strong impact on your selection, granted that there is some connection it bears to the position for which you are applying.

Another key element of successful resume writing is centered on the specific use of language in phrasing one’s accomplishments and past efforts. Specifically, when fleshing out academic experience, work history and / or community involvement, the implementation of certain language has the ability to make your efforts stand out more and seem professional. These kinds of action verbs can be used effectively when detailing, for example, your duties under your current employer. Simply listing, ‘responsibilities included’ is not ideal, especially when the term responsibilities indicates that you were more or less obligated to do something. Using verbs such as ‘implemented,’ ‘strategized,’ and ‘expedited’ as opposed to just saying ‘did this’ and ‘did that’ are much more effective in driving home the point that you were a driving force behind the tasks being mentioned. Additionally, this type of language can be an important transition tool; specific wording could make the duties of a restaurant job applicable to the larger frame of a professional career. This use of language also holds true for sections such as technological skills, where by simply mentioning you know how to do or use something is much less effective than taking the time to practically word your skills in a marketable sense.

Overall, this article and class alone have been extremely helpful in developing a more professional resume. In the past, it felt like I had been peddling the same resume year to year, leaving me to only wonder what potential employers could possibly think about it. Now I feel highly confident in my ability to produce quality resumes that would be applicable to a number of positions.