Yesterday we began the RÉSUMÉ SERIES with TYPES OF RÉSUMÉ, where I emphasized that the kind of résumé or CV you build will depend of the kind of job you are applying for.

If you missed yesterday's episode, do well to check it out!

Today we are taking the series a step further with STEPS TO BUILDING A PROFESSIONAL RÉSUMÉ OR CV.

Creating a resume can be challenging when you start thinking about all the information you need to share with prospective employers.

Your employment history, educational background, skills, and qualifications need to be presented in a way that will help you get picked for a job interview.

Rather than a simple list of the jobs you have held, it’s important to include information specific to the positions for which you're applying.

What’s the easiest way to write a resume? If you look at resume building as a step-by-step process, it will be easier to do. So I'm listing the processes in that order!

In relation to your knowledge of the different type of résumé, you don't always have to build your CV from scratch each time, once you’ve created your first resume, all you need to do is refresh your old one.
You can simply alter it to match with the job you’re applying for.

On this session for how to build a resume, im going to be showing you the components required in an interview-winning resume, a resume that will catch the attention of hiring managers.

Right now, it is a general expectation from employers that job seekers must be computer literate, even to as low as the basics.

Next i personally expect you to be able to build a resume yourself by the end of this series.

So I'll say in passing, that before You Begin Building Your Resume;

1. Choose a Word Processor.
Before you start to work on your resume, you’ll need a word processor. You need to have word processing software installed on your computer or smart phone(you may be excused for not having a computer, but for a smart phone, almost everyone does)

One of the benefits of building your CV from your personal device is that you can update, send, and share your resume at any point in time!

That makes the application process much simpler because you’ll be able to easily apply for jobs from anywhere that’s convenient for you.

2. Next, plan the "framework" of your CV. 
Write only the "basics", Employers are looking for a synopsis of your credentials, not everything you have done in your career. 

In many cases, a one-page resume is sufficient. If you have extensive experience, longer may be necessary.

In general, shorter is better, with a few bullet points for each job, brief sentences, descriptions that are action and accomplishment oriented, and plenty of white space on the page.

Your goal is to wow the hiring manager and present a document that promotes you as an ideal candidate for the position. 

3. Compile Your Personal and Employment Information
Collect all the information you need to include before you start writing your resume. It’s much easier to write, edit, and format a document when you have all the details you need in front of you. Make a list of the contact information you want to use, all your jobs, your education, certifications, and other credentials.

4. Start writing your Résumé
When you have compiled all the information you need, it should be listed in an order I will outline, below.

Don’t worry about fonts and formatting your document yet. Once you have everything down on paper, you will be able to adjust the font size and type, spacing, and add formatting options to your resume.

Without further ado, below are the STEPS TO BUILDING A PROFESSIONAL CV

(a)Resume Heading

• Full Name (Prisca Maurice. Applicant)
• Street Address (options for listing your address)
• City, State, Zip
• Email Address (don’t use your work email, in a case where your former job had customized emails for staff)
• Telephone Number (make sure you have a professional voicemail message for missed calls)

(b) Profile or Objective
Adding a profile or an objective to your resume gives the employer a brief overview of your qualifications. This is an optional component of a resume.

If you include it, focus on what prospective employers are seeking rather than what you want in your next job. Hiring managers want to know what you have to offer.

(c) Summary of Qualifications
A summary of qualifications is another optional section of a resume. It’s a statement that includes your skills, abilities, experience, and what qualifies you for the position.

(d) Experience
Your work history is the most important component of your resume. Employers will want know where you have worked, when you worked there, and what responsibilities you held in each role you have had. They will be looking to see how your experience lines up with what they are looking for in prospective employees.

List the jobs and internships you have held in reverse chronological order, (if your not sure how this works, refer to to my previous post) with the most recent positions first.

For each position, include: job title, company, location, dates of employment, and a bulleted list of the strongest accomplishments for each job.

It’s important to be accurate with employment dates because most employers conduct background checks.

At this point, I'll have to include that most employers also scrutinize as far as as your social media handles, so as much as possible sanitize your timelines, keeping it next to "formal".

(e) Volunteer Work
If you have volunteer experience that’s related to the jobs you’re applying for, or if you have volunteered to avoid an employment gap, list volunteering as you would the jobs you have held.

(f) Education
The education section generally comes next. You need only to list degrees earned, with the highest first, when you have been out of school for a few years.

If you’re a student or recent graduate, the education section of your resume can be listed above your employment history. If you have work experience, list it below that section.

Education should be listed in reverse chronological order, with the most recent and advanced education first. Include the name of the school, the degree earned, and the date you graduated.

You don't need to include your GPA on your resume, you can only submit that on request.

(g) Certifications
The next section of your resume includes any certifications you have.

(h) Awards and Accomplishments
Don’t be shy about mentioning awards and achievements you have earned. They show the employer that you are a well-credentialed candidate who has been recognized for your accomplishments.

(I) Skills
This section of a resume includes the skills you have that are directly related to the job for which you’re applying.

Employers typically list required or preferred skills in job listings when itemizing the qualifications for the position. List your most closely related abilities here, using a bulleted list format.

(J) Personal Interests
This section is necessary only If you have personal interests that are strongly related to the position you’re applying for, list them here.

That's it on today's episode!

Again, that you now know the components of a PROFESSIONAL RÉSUMÉ and in the order it should be arranged doesn't mean that is all there is to know.

At the end of this series, I'll be dropping a FREE CV template on the blog, to further assist you in building your own professional CV.

But before then, knowing the components alone is not enough to get an EMPLOYERS ATTENTION, it's much deeper than that.

So tomorrow, I'll be sharing 20 TIPS TO GETTING AN EMPLOYERS ATTENTION!

I most sincerely hope you have found the information so far resourceful and if you haven't, as a result of your familiarity with the subject; you can't beat tomorrow's episode.

Until I come your way tomorrow, I'm definitely leaving you;

With lots of Love,
Your Fragile Giant!