How to Write a Good Resume

 How to Write a Good Resume

A well-crafted resume is an essential tool for job seekers, as it serves as a first impression for potential employers. A good resume should highlight your skills, experience, and qualifications in a clear and compelling manner. Follow these key steps to create a strong resume that stands out.

1. Choose the Right Format

There are three main types of resume formats:

• Chronological Resume: Lists work experience in reverse chronological order, ideal for those with a strong work history.

• Functional Resume: Focuses on skills and experience rather than chronological work history, suitable for career changers or those with gaps in employment.

• Combination Resume: Merges both chronological and functional formats, showcasing both skills and work experience.

2. Include Key Sections

A good resume should contain the following sections:

• Contact Information: Include your full name, phone number, email address, and LinkedIn profile (if applicable).

• Professional Summary: A brief 2-3 sentence overview of your skills, experience, and career goals.

• Work Experience: List job titles, companies, locations, and dates of employment. Use bullet points to describe responsibilities and accomplishments.

• Education: Include degrees, institutions, and graduation dates.

• Skills: Highlight relevant skills, both technical and soft skills, that align with the job.

• Certifications and Additional Sections (if applicable): Include certifications, volunteer work, publications, or other relevant information.

3. Tailor Your Resume for Each Job

Customize your resume to match the specific job description by using keywords from the job posting. Highlight experience and skills that align with the position.

4. Use Action Words and Quantify Achievements

Start bullet points with strong action verbs (e.g., "Managed," "Developed," "Implemented") and include measurable results when possible. For example, instead of saying "Managed a team," say "Managed a team of 10 and increased productivity by 20%."

5. Keep It Concise and Well-Formatted

• Limit your resume to one page (or two pages for those with extensive experience).

• Use a clean, professional font (e.g., Arial, Calibri, Times New Roman) and maintain consistent formatting.

• Use bullet points to improve readability.

• Avoid unnecessary personal details like age, gender, or marital status.

6. Proofread and Edit

Ensure your resume is free of grammatical and spelling errors. Have a friend or mentor review it for feedback before submitting.

7. Save and Submit in the Right Format

Save your resume as a PDF to preserve formatting. Label the file professionally, such as "John_Doe_Resume.pdf."

By following these guidelines, you can craft a compelling resume that effectively showcases your qualifications and enhances your chances of securing a job interview.

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Getting the Right Logo

A company's logo is very important.  The right logo evokes a sense of connection between a brand and consumers. It's been shown that a logo facilitates brand recognition since we process visuals 60,000 faster than text. 

Logo Redesign: Logos evolve and change over time.  One of the most iconic logos is the McDonalds restaurant logo.  Here is a view of its evolution:

The early McDonalds logos seem lackluster and dull.  They lack the famous golden arches. Over time the logo became sleeker.   The purist form of a logo is a word only.  Here are examples:

   

Starbucks Logo:  The Starbucks Logo shows the trend toward minimalism we see in recent years:

It's interesting how the logo design of 2011 even eliminated the name "Starbucks".  At that point the image was so recognizable, they no longer needed the name.  Starbucks is definitely a well known logo.

Logo Design Costs:  For small businesses or new businesses, the cost of hiring a graphic designer is often much too expensive and out of reach.  

There are some low cost alternatives, however, such as website automated logo makers.  A great site is the Fiverr Logo Maker. It generates hundreds of potential logos, so it can be used to generate new ideas. You can make a professional logo in 5 to 10 minutes!  If you find one you want, it costs as low as $30.    I've used it and was astounded by the good quality.   Click below: