A resume is a self-promotional document that makes the case for an interview.  It normally accompanies a cover letter and presents your background in the most "objective" light possible.  Your cover letter is your introduction to the employer and your resume is the document that "supports" that introduction.  For instance, your cover letter may state that you have extensive experience in forensic accounting.  Your resume is the document that will support that statement with more specifics.

Everything that you write in your resume has to serve a purpose.  Screen out all the non-essentials.  Once you have decided what information to include in your resume, you must think of the best way to present that information.  How to phrase your work experience?  What headings to use?  What should you bold, if anything?  What resume format to use?

 

Writing a resume is a lot of work, but if you break down the process in stages, it will look less insurmountable.  The first step in writing a resume is to reflect.  Don't rush to your computer yet.  Answer these few basic questions:

Once you know what to say, sit down and think of the best way to say it.  Don't stop at the first draft, but work through many.  When you are done with a final first draft, let it rest and come back on it a few hours or a day later.  Read it out loud.  If possible, ask trusted friends or family members for their feedback.  

 

Remember that the main purpose of a resume is to get you an interview.  Once you get that interview, no matter how impressive your resume looks compared to others, you will be put on an equal footing.  From thereon, the decision to hire you or not will be based mainly on how you performed at the interview.

 

With that in mind, don't forget that a resume is a promotional tool, so don't be modest.  At the same time, don't lie or exaggerate your skills if you cannot back them up.  We hope that these resume tips will put you on the right path.  Good luck!