ShareThisWhich type of resume format is best?Job seekers often ask this question, but there's no single answer. It depends on the aspects of your background you wish to spotlight and the needs of the prospective employer you're targeting. A chronological resume, which offers an easy-to-follow snapshot of your work history, lists your previous positions in reverse-chronological order. A functional resume, on the other hand, is organized around your skills, achievements and experiences, not the specific jobs you've held. A combination resume is primarily chronological but also features a summary of your most marketable skills.Regardless of your method of organization, focus primarily on strong content. The following candidates illustrate why well-written materials are critical:"SUMMARY: Ability to think inside the box."Not quite the visionary we're looking to hire.COVER LETTER: "I'm a potentially outstanding customer service representative."It's the "potentially" part that worries us."JOB HISTORY: I started as a cashier, got a quick promotion and then escalatored up from there."Who needs the corporate ladder?We assume this next job seeker intended to use the word "instrumental":"JOB DUTIES: Nurses aide: I was detrimental in the daily care and recovery of all the patients on my assigned floor."In addition, you don't need to go back to your childhood days when citing your educational background."EDUCATION: Elementary school: 1986-1986."Must have been in the advanced program.And, as always, remember to run spell-check and proofread your documents for errors. This last candidate gives hiring managers no reason to honor his request:COVER LETTER: "Please review my attached resumay."For more Resumania, and to submit samples you've come across, visit www.resumania.com. Keep the Resumania coming. Examples can be sent to Resumania, c/o Robert Half International Inc., 2884 Sand Hill Road, Suite 200, Menlo Park, Calif., 94025, or faxed to 650-234-6998.(Max Messmer is chairman and CEO of Robert Half International Inc., a specialized staffing firm, and author of "Managing Your Career For Dummies" and "Job Hunting For Dummies," 2nd Edition. His most recent book is "Human Resources Kit For Dummies," 2nd Edition.)????????2
No matter what type of resume, focus on strong content
Submitted by SHNS on Tue, 04/15/2008 - 13:58
Paying taxes unites us. It also divides us. People can pay five and even six times more in state and local taxes than other folks in similar circumstances making similar incomes.
Who's got your number?
In one of the fastest-growing forms of identity theft, crooks are stealing tax refunds by swiping personal information and using it to trick the Internal Revenue Service.
