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So, you’re looking to snag that perfect job, right? You’ve got the skills, the ‘tude, now you need a resume. A what? That’s right, a resume. This is the piece of paper that shows potential bosses just how talented you really are. Everything goes on your resume. Your education, job experience, special skills you have, and any other impressive info about yourself. Don’t know how to get started? No problem! We’ll give you the basics you need to know about writing a kickin’ resume, and get rid of some of those rumors you might have heard about what to and what not to do when making one.

Myth #1: There is only one set way to write a resume.
Fact: Wrong! You can set up your resume pretty much anyway you want to. Just make sure that you include your contact info, education, and experience. These are the most important parts. To see just how flexible writing a resume really is, look at some books on resume writing, check out some resume writing software, and see how easy it is.

Myth #2: Your resume should only be a page long.
Fact: Your resume can be as long as it needs to be — one, two, or ten pages! If you’ve got that much experience, show it off! Just make sure that each page is at least ½ to ¾ filled. You don’t want to have a page with just one or two lines on it, so be sure to get as much info on there as possible.

Myth #3: There is only one kind of resume.
Fact: Nope, not true either. There are three really important types. The first is a chronological resume. These are good when you’re education, experience, and skills all fit together and progress nicely from your beginnings to current experiences. Targeted resumes are good when you want to focus on a particular part of your background. Your current job flipping burgers may not exactly be using your skills as a computer programmer, so play up a time when you were working on computers so they see you’ve got the know-how. And finally, there’s the functional resume. This type shows what you know and what you can do. These are really good for those who don’t have a whole lot of experience. This type lets you focus on your education if you need to, listing courses you’ve taken that have given you the knowledge to tackle that position you’re after.

Myth #4: Resumes can be read by computers.
Fact: This is actually true. They are called scannable or electronic resumes. In some companies when you send your resume in, they are run through a computer programmed to pick up key words. These words are usually relevant to the job you’re applying for, and they vary from job to job. If you have them on your resume, it will be snatched up and sent to the right people.

So, need a few tips on setting up that perfect resume? Here you go!

1. Start out with your contact info at the top of the page. This includes your name address, phone number, and any other ways to reach you.
2. You must put your education and experience down. These are the most important parts of your resume so employers will know what you know and what you can do.
3. Don’t leave too much white space on the page.
4. Spell check…USE IT!
5. Don’t stretch the truth. Don’t call yourself store manager on your resume because you managed to make it to the store to work everyday. You may end up with a job you can’t handle.
6. Use normal size and type fonts. Some of the fancier fonts are harder for computers (and some people) to read.

You’re well on your way to snagging that position you always wanted. Good luck and happy job hunting!