Professional resume. Where to start?

How long does it take to write a resume? At a glance, the task may seem easy and not requiring much effort and time. A page or two of printed text outlining one’s professional record – what’s more to it?

Indeed, listing dates along with some education and employment details does not require great skill – a high-school student can do it. The question is what good will a document like this do to anyone? Will it help a young professional stand out from the peck of job seekers, or an experience one – to climb a career ladder? - Not likely.

So where does one start to give their resume a due shine and turn it into an effective tool of career development.

Regardless of whether you write it single-handedly or use help of a consultant, you need to assess yourself as a professional. In case of the former, you will do it yourself, in case of the latter – the bulk of the assessment will lie in the hands of your consultant. Prior to the actual writing you need to have a clear understanding of how you present yourself to a potential employer and what sort of image you intend to project.

What are your strengths and weaknesses? What distinguishes you from other specialists in your area? What did you achieve in your last place of work? What skills and knowledge did you acquire? What experience gained? Answering these and many other questions will determine your new resume, as well as build your confidence for interviews. Impartial self-assessment is a foundation of a good resume and, oftentimes, represents the most difficult part.

If serious about improving your resume, do not start by seeking a cool photograph or some old-time certificate regalia. Structuring, formatting and selecting the right fonts – albeit important – should be preceded by thorough prearrangement and analysis of your professional story.