How to Write a Resume

By Jerrold G. Simon

Pre-reading

1. In you life, what are the things you’re proud to have accomplished? Write down two or three of them.

2. What thoughts and emotions does searching for a job stir in you? What do you expect from a “How to” book or essay?

In-reading

CV (curriculum vitae) and resume: difference

lead off: meanings lead on: lead up: The Imperative Mood: Grammatical mood

Building vocabulary

Sit down with a piece of paper and don’t get up till… (par. 3)

Study the list (par. 4) Next list your Education (par. 14) Keep your writing style simple (par. 20) Make sure your grammar and spelling are correct

(par. 21) Make sure your original is clean and readable (par.

22) And now you’ve got an interview! (par. 27) Keep a list of prospects (par. 30)

Understanding the writer’s ideas

1. In the opening paragraph he tells the readers that what follow are “suggestions” to help anyone who is “about to launch a search for a job.”

2. Be clear about what kind of job you would like.

3. What is most important or affirmative, especially impressive accomplishments

Understanding the writer’s ideas

4. Canvassing your friends and acquaintances; searching trade publications and want ads; writing directly to individuals in companies you may wish to work for.

5. Just as your resume should stress accomplishments pertinent to the job at hand, so your manner in the interview should forefront your abilities, skills, and personality traits suited to the job

Understanding the writer’s ideas

6. A thank-you note; keeping a record of prospects and of the state of the job search prospect by prospect.

Understanding the writer’s techniques 1. Partly the most common, or popular formats for

resumes; and the author’s experience in aiding presentations.

2. A broad spectrum of job seekers, literate but not extremely sophisticated.

The style of the essay is direct and simple. The paragraphs are short. The instructions are explicit and unadorned—all appropriate to the audience.

The tone is also workmanlike, unassuming, and reassuring—equally appropriate for the audience

Understanding the writer’s ideas

3. (1) Wherever possible the writer says explicitly: You can do it! You will succeed! (See par. 1, par. 4, par. 8, par. 31).

(2) Or the writer implies that you already have many great accomplishments to boast about—as in par. 3, par. 9, par. 12, par. 16, par. 28.

Understanding the writer’s techniques 3. (3) The writer also provides simple

instructions about how to overcome the hurdles everyone encounters in a job search and in writing a resume—as in pars. 2 & 3, par. 8, par. 14, par. 25, pars. 29-30

Understanding the writer’s techniques 4. (1) par. 2 Before (2) par. 5 Once (3) par. 9 Now (4) par. 10 Begin (5) par. 12 So (6) par. 13 In that case (7) par. 14 Next (8) par. 15 Also (9) par. 19 Include Each of these words or phrases is colloquial and simple but

directive and even hortatory. These transitions stress activity and following instructions.