Resume Guidelines

Employers want to know about you, not your position. Spend more time describing your duties, responsibilities and accomplishments than describing the size and nature of your organization, although it is important for the employer to know that you have had experience in a similar organization. Your resume should be factual, impressive, readable, and tailored to the position you are seeking. It should describe your experience and achievements to stimulate a positive response. Your resume is an important item in getting you the position desire.

On the Internet usually the CV’s are send via e-mail to respective companies, but it is still important that you carry a copy along with you during your preliminary interview.
Use good quality paper for your CV’s. After all you are describing your years of hard-earned education and experience. Always value yourself.

Never send a badly duplicated photocopy of your CV. Even if you have to send a photocopy ideally use a good copier and executive bond paper or other similar quality.

Always remember to put your telephone no. If possible give an alternate number of your pager/mobile or email no

The section you should describe most is your work experience. Ideally give your job responsibilities point wise with sub headings. This would help to describe the matter briefly as well as to the point.

Ideally restrict your CV to not more than three pages. After all you should have some matter to talk about during your interview.

Check for spelling errors and grammatical mistake before you take a final copy of your CV as even a small error could cause an embarrassing situation for you.

Remember to mention any awards / promotion or other recognition earned by you in your previous work experience.

If you are a fresher than stress more on your education section and also mention other additional qualification in detail. Give a brief description about projects and extra curricular activities undertaken by you.

Include sections like languages known, hobbies and interests, extra curricular activities, your positive points in brief.

Remember to include the exact time spent in each company supported by dates. Also give dates of completing each degree.

Some companies do ask for photographs so carry at least two-passport size photograph just in case you are asked to submit them.

Select a simple font with appropriate font size to give clarity and legibility to your precious CV.

Basic Standards :

Your resume is the first interface you have with your employer. Make the most of this opportunity............. The employment market is changing all the time and so have resumes, evolving from a one-size-fits-all standard. Here are our tips to convert your resume into a catching one.

Follow These Basic Standards....

Don't overcrowd your resume; allow for plenty of white space.

Keep your resume to one page whenever possible.

Keep the number of fonts you use to a minimum -- two at the most.

Use a font that is easy to read. Times Roman works well.

Do not justify the lines of type on your resume. Allow the right side of the page to "rag."

Do not overuse capitalization, italics, underlines, or other emphasizing features.

Make sure your name, address, and a phone number appear on your resume and all correspondence, preferably at the top of the page.

Print your resume on white or cream paper using a good-quality printer.

Second- and third-generation photocopies must be avoided

Print on one side of the paper only.

Avoid Mistakes:

SPELLING MISTAKES:

To avoid spelling mistakes:

Don't use words with which you aren't familiar.

Use a dictionary as you write.

Perform a spell check on your finished resume.

Carefully read every word in your resume.

Have a friend or two proof read your resume for you.

PUNCTUATION MISTAKES:

Things to look for:

Periods at the end of all full sentences.

Be consistent in your use of punctuation.

Always put periods and commas within quotation marks.

Avoid using exclamation points.

GRAMMATICAL MISTAKES:

Grammar hang-ups to watch for:

Do not switch tenses within your resume.

The duties you currently perform should be in present tense (i.e., write reports)

Duties you may have performed at past jobs should be in past tense (i.e., wrote reports).

Capitalize all proper nouns.

When expressing numbers, write out all numbers between one and nine (i.e., one, five, seven), but

use numerals for all numbers 10 and above (i.e., 10, 25, 108).

If you begin a sentence with a numeral, spell out that numeral (e.g. Eleven service awards won while employed.).

Make sure your date formats are consistent (i.e.11/22/01 or Nov. 22, 2001, or 11.22.01. Choose one and stick with it.).

Choose Your Words Carefully:

Phrase yourself well:

Be on the lookout for the following easily confused words:

accept (to receive), except (to exclude)

all right (correct), alright (this is not a word)

affect (to bring about change), effect (result)

personal (private), personnel (staff members)

role (a character assigned or a function), roll (to revolve).

Use action words (i.e., wrote reports, increased revenues, directed staff).

REFERENCES:

In most instances it is not necessary to include names and address of references on the resume. If you include a reference, make it sure that the referenced person knows very well about you. It is also advisable to add the persons as references, whom the employer can contact easily. If possible add the phone number and e-mail ID of the reference. Never add a person as a reference, about whom you know nothing
STICK TO THE POINT

Employers have a busy schedule, so don't expect them to read through a long resume. Ideally, resumes should be of one page, or of two pages only if absolutely necessary, to describe relevant work experience.
WORDS COUNT

Use of language is extremely important; you need to sell yourself to an employer quickly and efficiently. Address your potential employer's needs with a clearly written, compelling resume. Avoid large paragraphs (five or six lines). If you provide small, digestible pieces of information, your resume will be read. Use action verbs. Verbs such as "developed", "managed", and "designed" emphasise your accomplishments. Don't use declarative sentences like "I developed the ..." or "I assisted in ...", leave out the "I". Avoid passive constructions, such as "was responsible for managing". Just say, "managed": that sounds stronger and more active.
MAKE THE MOST OF YOUR EXPERIENCE

Employers need to know what you have accomplished to have an idea of what you can do for them. Don't be vague. Telling someone that you "improved the company's efficiency" doesn't say much. But if you say that you "cut overhead costs by 20 per cent and saved the company Rs 20 lakh during the last fiscal year", you are more specific.
HONESTY IS A GOOD POLICY

Employers will feel more comfortable hiring you if they can verify your accomplishments. There is a difference between making the most of your experience and exaggerating or falsifying it. A falsified resume can cost you the job later.
DOUBLE-CHECK FOR MISTAKES

Check your resume for correct grammar and spelling - evidence of good communication skills and attention to detail. Nothing can ruin your chances of getting a job faster than submitting a resume filled with preventable mistakes. Make your resume easy on the eye. Use normal margins (1" on the top and bottom, 1.25" on the sides) and don't cram your text on the page. Allow for some space between the different sections. Avoid unusual or exotic fonts. Preferred fonts: Arial and Times Roman & Verdana


Resume Basics

If you are a new entrant in the job market, you need to perfect your resume before applying for your 1st job

Since you are fresh out of college, use your education as your strong point. Aggregate %, CGPA, accolades, club participation, etc. will be your focus.

"Do I really need a resume? What should I write in my resume?"

These are questions which worry every college graduate looking for his/her first job. Welcome to the real world! Yes you really need to make your resume and how you present yourself in that resume will go a long way towards getting you your first job.
It's a myth that resumes of entry-level graduates are unimportant because they lack the 'pull' of experience. Nothing could be further from the truth. Not only is a well-made resume important for every job seeker, it is more critical for entry level graduates. A resume is a mirror of your professional identity. A well-defined resume impresses a recruiter. A sloppy resume immediately proclaims the candidate to be sloppy.

Here are some do's and don'ts on what makes a great resume for graduates seeking entry-level positions in industry.

OBJECTIVE

One of the most frequently heard complaints made by recruiters about entry-level resumes is that they lack a specific objective. Resumes of fresh graduates have fuzzy, general objectives or no objective at all. Mentioning a specific objective is by far the most important feature of an entry- level resume. Without goal clarity you are bound to drown in the sea of mediocrity.

The only thing worse than the absence of an objective is a vague objective. Something like "My objective is to work with a dynamic company which will fully utilise my talents…" is a complete no-no! This objective is worthless because it gives the potential employer no idea about your goals or your direction.

Your objective should be clear, well-defined and short-not more than 10-12 words.. It should be aimed towards getting a particular position in a specific industry. Thus your objective should talk about the following:

1. Position wanted
2. Functional area
3. Industry wanted


SUMMARY

Summary is the second most important factor that is conspicuous by its absence in resumes of entry-level graduates. It is a good idea to include a summary of your resume after having mentioned your objective. This sums up your resume in a nutshell and gives you an opportunity to highlight your strengths. It invites the recruiter to read your detailed resume. The summary should consist of 4-5 specific points-either bulleted or in one paragraph.

Sample Summary 1:

B.E (Computer Science) from IIT-Delhi, in 2000.
Course in Computers Database programmes Oracle 8I & VB6 from PENTASOFT in 2005.
Consistently good academic record.
Good analytical and communication skills.
Have worked on a curriculum project "XXX XXXXX XXXX"

Sample Summary 2:

"Masters in Computer Application with specialisation in J2EE/Web Technologies. Great operational, communication and computer skills. Good academic record throughout. Among the top three students out of a batch of 120 students. Undergone Industrial training in a top petrochemical Company.

EDUCATIONAL QUALIFICATIONS

Most fresher resume doesn't suffer from space constraint . However it is a good idea to include only those educational and professionals qualifications which are relevant. Put your qualifications in a reverse chronological order. i.e. the recent ones first followed by earlier ones. Entry level resume should also mention the names of their school and college, years in which they passed their board examinations. However, include your marks only you have shown a good academic performance.

WORK EXPERIENCE

An entry- level resume cannot compete with resumes of experienced workers in the area of work experience. But don't forget to list internships, voluntary work and summer training that you have undertaken. How you present these is very important. Make sure you clearly define your duty and responsibilities during this training.
E.g.: "Worked as a summer trainee in India's largest Oil Refinery. I was working for the system control department. Wrote quality reports as well as ISO features for the company." Any projects done for your school or your college should also be mentioned.


DESIGN

Follow a simple design, which gives maximum information in the minimum number of pages. Use an easy to read and commonly used font like 'Times New Roman' or 'Verdana.' Limit your font size to 10-11. Do not underline heavily.

WORD USAGE

Simple language, lucid expression with good grammar is the thumb rule. Watch your tenses carefully. Use short and simple sentences. And never-ever make the mistake of using long words just to impress the recruiter. Flowery words are for speeches, keep them away from your resume.

OUCH! THE TRUTH HURTS
There are many things we would rather not write in our resumes. And while writing a resume the strong temptation to stretch the truth (or simply lie through our teeth) can be quite overpowering. But just stomp on the temptation. Most companies opt for a reference check during recruitment. Your resume is considered a legal document and fudging up small details may cause you great embarrassment in your career.
All right! so you've made yor resume. But this is not the time to sit back and relax. There are some important post-resume do's left.

CHECK, AND RE-CHECK!
The most important post resume step: Read and re-read your resume for any mistakes. Check the facts, the grammar, the spellings. After you have checked it, get you parents, friends, teachers to check it for you. One small mistake may cost you your job.

And finally...mom is right you know! Do not procrastinate over anything, specially making your resume. Most fresh graduates prefer to leave the unappealing task of resume making till the last minute i.e the day before their first interview. However, remember that making great resumes take time and effort. And the rewards will last you a lifetime