338 / Types of Writing
STEP 6: Writing—Following a Format
As you begin to arrange your information into a resume, you should choose a logi-
cal format. While many exist, most center the applicant’s name, address, and phone
number(s) at the top. The remainder of the resume is set in columns, the left listing
the general headings, and the right giving the details:
Your Name
Your Street Address
Your City and State and Zip Code
Your Phone Number, Including Area Code
Position Sought: Position named
Experience: List places, dates, and details of duties and responsibilities.
Type single-spaced, but double-space between jobs.
List the second job experience here.
Education: List education and any specific honors or leadership experi-
ences appropriate for the position sought.
References: Give names, positions or titles, addresses, and phone numbers.
Skip a line between individual references.
If possible, limit your resume to a single page. Only when you are more experi-
enced can you afford the risk of a multi-paged resume.STEP 7: Revising—Evaluating Your Resume
Examine your resume as if you were a personnel manager. How does it read?
Next, look for ways to enhance your image. Ask these questions:
-^ Have I listed my most impressive duties or responsibilities as they relate to this
position?
-^ Have I overlooked experience or abilities that would make me a better
candidate? If so, how can I include them?
- Are^ the^ details^ accurate?^ Dates,^ places,^ names?
- Have^ I^ described^ my^ experience^ accurately?^ (The^ potential^ employer^ may^
check these details even though you do not list references connected with
every position.)
-^ Can I make any revisions to improve my image without being misleading or
dishonest?