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Resources for Resumé Examples
Regardless of your level of experience with the process, writing your resumé is a daunting process. While the content of your resume is critical to its effectiveness in convincing a potential employer to pursue you further as a candidate for the job, the layout and the format you utilize are equally as important. It is absolutely critical that the appearance of your resumé not only be easy to read, but also conveys a sense of professionalism in attention to detail and general adherence to professional standards.
Before you start composing your resumé, you should research various resumé styles and find out which of them best suits your field. The biggest mistake people make when composing a resumé is to use a generic template provided in a word-processing application such as Microsoft Word. These templates are usually in outdated layout styles and very difficult to customize to your individual needs. Furthermore, they generally do not transfer well to online job applications, since they often are in custom file formats that can only be opened in that application package. By avoiding the quick-fix mentality of these resumé templates and investing some time in finding current resources, you will know how to compose a winning resumé that appeals to hiring managers in the present job market, not what was common five or ten years ago when the programmers got their jobs.
The easiest and least expensive way to find samples of resumés in your industry is to do a search on the internet. Before you get started, a word of caution is in order: examine the sources of information before you decide to incorporate any of their suggestions into your resumé. You will find web sites that promise to teach you how to write a job-getting cover letter in three and a half minutes, if you buy their product or sign up for their six-month application submission service. Don't fall for these scams. Unless you choose to hire a resumé-writing service, obtaining resources on resumé writing should not cost you any money or obligate you to a long-term commitment. If you're unsure about the credibility of information you see on one Website, find another source and compare your findings.
A great online resource on resumé composition is Monster.com. While they are mostly known for their job search database, they offer a variety of other information and services for job hunters. Click on the Career Advice tab and you will find a wealth of information on how to go about an effective job search, including information on perfecting your resumé. In addition to articles about your job search and resume-related message boards, Monster's Resume Center includes a variety of resume examples for professionals in a number of different industries. From administrative assistants to web designers, everyone can find a sample of a resume to fit their career objectives at http://resume.monster.com/archives/samples/
This page shows you examples of functional and chronological resumés as well as sample cover letters. Take the time to review these examples carefully and consider how they work to communicate the person's skills, experience and other qualifications to a potential employer. They are provided by a reliable source, so don't be afraid to pattern your own resumé upon them (however, do not directly copy text from the sample resumés -- your resumé needs to be in your own words).
If you already have a draft of your resume, and are looking to make updates or revisions, check out the Resume Makeovers for a great look at before and after resumés of real professionals: http://resume.monster.com/resume_samples/
It is important that you review these examples and give them careful consideration, even if they are for an industry unrelated to your line of work. They will teach you the basic dos and don'ts of resume writing. By studying them, you can see why some things work and why others don't, and be able to chose the best ways to highlight your qualifications.
Again, don't crudely copy someone else's work. Instead, use these resources to learn how and why certain presentations work or don't work, and create the resumé that presents you in the best light.
