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Your resume

Your resume

Resumes are an important tool to get job interviews. They make it easy for employers to see your skills at one glance.

A resume describes your abilities and experiences. They can be simple, but for people with criminal records, resumes are extra valuable. They give you a chance to choose which past experiences you want to highlight. That means you can put the focus on what you can offer instead of your record.

Resumes are not a list of everything you have done. Highlight just the parts of your experience that make you a good candidate for a job.

What to include on your resume:

Section
Information to include
Contact information (you don't need to label this section, just write your name)
Place this at the top of your resume and include your full name, home address, phone number and an email address. If you don't have a permanent address, use a location where you can receive mail, or a rented post office box.
Career Objective or Summary 
For a Career Objective, write the career you want to be hired for, such as "Retail Salesperson." For a Summary, write 2-3 sentences to highlight the skills or accomplishments that show why you are a good fit for the job.
Work Experience
A list of past jobs you have held. Include employer/company name, city and state, your job title, dates you held the job, major responsibilities, accomplishments, promotions, and other highlights. Also include your soft skills here or in a Summary, for example "Strong communication skills", "On time and excellent attendance record", "Strong teamwork skills".
Education
List education and training you have done. Include school or program name, city and state, dates attended, and any diplomas, degrees or certifications you have earned.
Volunteering / Activities
List volunteer or community work you have done. Also include other activities that can show your responsibility, commitment, or skills.
Military Experience
List dates of military service, rank obtained and branch. Write in any special training or skills you gained.

Other things to think about when writing your resume:

  • Be truthful. State your skills and abilities accurately.
  • Target your audience. Highlight skills and activities related to a specific career.
  • Be brief. Limit your resume to one or two pages. Use few words so it is easy and quick to read.
  • Be professional. Print your resume on high-quality paper using a quality printer.
  • Be accurate. Proofread your resume for errors. Ask at least one other good speller to do the same.
  • Include all related experiences. Include positive information that's unique and related to the job. Example: If the job description indicates that speaking Spanish is preferred and you speak Spanish, include that.
Resources
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