How to write a resume

A resume consists of several key components, and to write a good resume you need to cover all these aspects. The main items that are required on a resume include your name, contact details (address, telephone and optionally email), your objective, education, previous work experience and references. You may also include other additional information that may be relevant to the job you are applying for such as special interests, computer knowledge, and if you are multilingual you may write down the languages that you speak.

Name and contact details. It is important to put your real name on your resume, and not a nickname. This is to show that you are serious about the position you are applying for. It is also best to give your permanent, residential address so that employers can see where you are located. It is a good idea to list both your home phone number, and your mobile phone number in case you are not available at home when the prospective employer rings.

Objective. This is often the focus point on your resume, it outlines to the employer what type of work that you are after and why you are after it. The objective should be a simple sentence or two that is directly related to what work you wish to gain and your qualifications or accomplishments.

Education. This is often one of the most important areas when writing a resume. It is important to list all the education you have achieved so that you distinguish yourself from other applicants. If you have a degree, be sure to include the type of degree you achieved (Bachelor, Masters, etc.), your majors, the institution attended, graduation date and years attended. It may be worth providing your grade average, and also any special awards and achievements that you have.

Work Experience. Work experience is also another very highly important category when writing a resume. It shows employers if you have had relevant past experience to the job you are applying for. Ensure that you list the name of the organization, location of the organization, your position with them and the dates you worked with them. You should also describe the work you done with them, ensuring that you use strong and words relevant to the job at hand (for example, if the job you are applying for relies heavily on teamwork, focus on the teamwork aspects in previous jobs). You should list any forms of volunteer work or internships.

Additional Information. This is the area in which you can list anything else that may be relevant, or put you ahead of other applicants. This could be for example if you are multilingual, you could list the languages that you speak. You can also list computer knowledge that you have if computers will be used in the workplace.

References. It is almost essential to include a reference list when writing a resume. References are most often people you have previously worked for, or if you haven’t had a job before you could list teachers or family friends. You must ask references if you can put them on your resume before including them. It is best to have at least two people, and include there name, phone number, what relation they had and organization they work for. If you do not wish to provide references when you first submit you resume, you can write “References available upon request” in which the potential employer will ask you for them when they are ready.

Now you are ready to write your own resume. Study the example below and try to write one for yourself.

RESUME
Anna Smirnova 98, Chaikovskogo Street, apt. 85 St Petersburg, 191194, Russia Phone: +7 812 272 08 95
Objective:	Obtain employment in the field of public relations that will allow me to use my ability to work with people and take advantage of my knowledge of English
Education:	St. Petersburg State University 1989-1996 Diploma in English and French. Qualified as English interpreter.
Work Experience	Assistant, Interpreter of Director General Insurance Co. Rodina Ros.
April 1996-till now January-March 1993	Duties: schedules of meetings, appointments and recording of the personnel, interpreting and translation of documents. Personal assistant and secretary to Mr. Ron Black at the office of Operation Carelift. Mr. Black, a former member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives supervised the activities of this NGO in distributing humanitarian assistance in St. Petersburg. Duties: interviewing and screening Russian organization which applied for humanitarian assistance, arranging and supervising of deliveries of children’s shoes and boots in St. Petersburg, scheduling of the drivers and Russian personnel.
Languages:
English		Fluent reading, writing and speaking ability. Qualified as interpreter and translator.
French		Good reading and translating ability.
German		Rudimentary conversation German acquired during several visits to Germany.
Other skills: Computer			Microsoft Word and Excel. Typing, fax, Xerox.
Hobbies & activities		Theatre, music, tourism, sports.
References
Mrs. Elena Petrova, Assosiate professor St. Petersburg, State University 11, Universitetskaya Nab. St. Petersburg Phone: +7 812 218 95 65				Mr. Peter Bright, Manager Anglo-American School US Consulat General St. Petersburg Phone: +7 812 325 62 47