Your 'Resume' is your personal advertisement. Just like any other advertisement, it has to be focused on your ability to market your skills, abilities and qualifications and be able to position yourself competitively against the competition. As with any successful advertisement on TV or in the newspaper, your resume has to contain a powerful message that makes you stand out from the crowd.

It is your ability to market yourself. To be able to present yourself in a manner that is sharp, focused and aggressive. Be aggressive in an assertive way, be bold but be honest. Remember that the person reading your resume will be looking for key reasons to choose you for an interview. Highlight the points that will make a good impression and make the reader want to find out more about you. Your resume should be concise, to the point and relative to the job for which you are applying.

Some Do's and Don'ts

Do

• Have your resume typed on a computer (keep a copy on disk for easy updating and new copies)
• Check all spelling (use spell-check and have someone else check it for you)
• Ensure your resume looks tidy - don't be afraid of white space
• Ask others to read your resume and give you their opinion
• Include reference to specific things such as what you are interested in; have knowledge of this and the licences/tickets you hold

Don'ts

• Include reference to things such as your gender, religion and your general health
• Use brightly coloured paper or coloured printing on your resume
• Exaggerate about your experience, education or capabilities
• Send out the original copy of your resume - make sure you always have copies on hand
• Include a current work phone number on your resume if you can't discuss another opportunity in your current work environment
• Include any mention of salary

A resume helps give employers the kind of information they need to interview you. It includes your personal details such as your name, address and telephone number and lists your study and work history. These details should emphasise your skills, as this is what employers want to know about you. You may have achieved these skills through work, education or training, hobbies or volunteer work.

Your resume should be printed on A4 paper. When you apply for a job, you should send a copy of your resume with your application letter or, if you apply for a job by approaching an employer directly, you should have a copy of your resume to give them. A good resume includes a short list of your strengths, work skills and additional skills.

Strengths

The following is a list of strengths, or things that you are good at. Think of the ones that apply to you or you can list others. Include these when you write your resume.

• Adaptable
• Adventurous - like a challenge
• Articulate - good at talking to people
• Efficient and attends to detail
• Caring - good at looking after others
• Efficient and attends to others
• Competitive - good in challenging environments
• Computer literate - understands how computer packages work
• Creative - imagines new possibilities
• Cross cultural

Sample Resume

Here is a sample resume for you to get some ideas from. You do not have to use this exact format; you can use your imagination:

Personal Details Name:   Abraham Person Address:   14 This Street SUBURB Q 4812 Date of Birth:   13 December 1980 (Optional) Telephone:   4771 8932 (Home) 0433 589 247 (Mobile) Educational Background 1999:   Pimlico Tafe - Completed Diploma Hospitality Course 1997:   School of Hard Knocks - Year 12 Employment History 2002 - 2004:   Hotel Motel - Functions Supervisor 1999 - 2002:   The Function Centre - Functions and Conferences Coordinator Strengths NOTE: Take from your 'strengths' list •   Efficient and pleasant manner in dealing with customers •   Like to learn •   Team Player, able to motivate others •   Efficient and pay attention to detail •   Able to solve problems Work Skills Things you can do in your job •   Time Management - able to coordinate several functions at once •   Customer Service •   Staff Management Additional Skills Things you can do from outside work •   Junior Rugby Coach •   Member of the State Emergency Service Referees People who can tell your prospective employer how good of a worker you are. Ms Mary Smith Functions Manager Hotel Motel 13 Stay St TOWNSVILLE Q 4810 Mr John Blue Centre Manager The Function Centre 46 Entertain Rd TOWNSVILLE Q 4810