Updated: Six resume writing tips worth remembering

A sharp and outstanding resume is key for anybody getting hired, no matter what the position. This point is just as true for somebody seeking their first job, or their twenty-first job. And, this is also true for anybody, not only students with disabilities.

Now, with all that said, I want to emphasize that it is imperative for students with disabilities to master this critical aspect of job hunting. To be considered qualified for a job, and to get invited to that all-important personal interview, where you can personally demonstrate your professional competence despite your disabilities, one must first present yourself with a strong impression on paper. If you can’t get this particular fine point down, it won’t matter how well prepared you are for the interview. If the employer isn’t impressed with your resume, then you won’t be called for the interview.

In my graduate-level class on professional practice, we explored resume writing as a quintessential tool for marketing and employment. Perhaps it was my specific school’s leaning, and things were different in the school of business, but we were taught to write a two-page resume and instructed that this was the preferred format.

I also learned of different styles through my own involvement in shared governance, when I was a student representative on various job search committees. In that role, I saw everything from the lengthy c.v. of academic professionals to the tidy, one-page business brief, as well as many of the two-page variety I had been schooled in. However, I always marveled at a sharply written, one-page resume that said what it needed to say without wasting my time.

This is all background, leading to the meat of today's post. At a recent professional development seminar, two successful, business consultants highlighted the value and importance of the one-page resume to the audience. In their explanations, they also reminded me of some important resume writing tips that any soon to be graduate would be wise to remember.


1. Put your greatest strengths in the top third of the resume.

This is what the reviewer will see first and will make the greatest impression on him/her. This means you need to get your strengths mentioned in your profile/objective and in your most recent job skills.


2. Keep the resume limited to one page.

One reviewer said that if somebody turns in a five-page resume, many reviewers would probably throw it aside or in the trash, because they don't have the time to read it. She said this is true of most hiring executives, their time is precious, so make the most of it.


3. Make sure you list your computer skills.

A good rule is to list that you are familiar with MS Office Suite, as it is the most common package for workload production. It includes Access, Excel, Powerpoint, and Word. You don't have to be great in all of the applications, but should have one or two definite areas of strength among the applications. Also, make sure that you are familiar in how to use each of the programs, even if you aren’t totally proficient in all of them.
Also, make sure that you list the computer programs which you use regularly and are familiar with.


4. Don't worry if you have some information or employer left off.

A statement at the bottom of your resume should read "additional information and references upon request."
If they are interested in you, they can ask for more. The key is to get them interested in you in this one page of information.

5. Write your resume specifically for the job you're applying for.

Do not use one resume for every job you apply for. Tailor the resume to the job you're applying for. Look at the job description and see what the posting says are the necessary skills needed to do the job. Then write the resume to highlight your experience and how it gives you these skills.

6. Don't forget to write something about personal information.

They want to know the person you are away from work, where your passions and interests lie. This should include, at a minimum, your interests and community involvement.


I've heard differing information about resume writing in my experience, but this was coming from seasoned professionals in the field, so I take it as golden advice.

Update 02/26/08

Note: People who are interested in this post might also want to read my previous posts about
A useful web Site for job seekers with disabilities,
And
Job interview tips for soon to be graduates.

growing up with a disability offers grown up insight

I just came across
Growing up with a disability,
A blog written by David , a college student who understands so much more than his 21 years belie.

Evidence of this maturity is spelled out very clearly on his blog’s “About” page:
“I am 21 years old and am taking a year away from college to pursue this project. I like sports, music, travel, and conversation. And, I have cerebral palsy.”
And
“I believe society often underestimates the complexity of living with a disability - the joys, the challenges, the ordinary, and the extraordinary. “

There are two points worthy of noting in those statements.

First, Did you notice how he identified himself? Not only did he take the person first approach, but the cerebral palsy was included almost as a footnote. Yes, he happens to have a disability; however, this is but one facet of David’s character, which is overly abundant in his writings.

Secondly, in the last statement, he speaks volumes when he said, “the ordinary, and the extraordinary.”

The general public categorizes people with visible disabilities which are classified as severe all too often in one of either two bins-- the “poor soul” category with no semblance of normality in life, or the “supercrip” who is the maximum over-achiever, and moste suredly an anomaly amongst his or her disabled peers. However, like David points out, many people with these extreme disabilities would probably call their lives ordinary.

I am making a genralization in that last statement, but am speaking from the many conversations I’ve had with friends whose disabilities span a broad spectrum of conditions and limitations. These people have a life, family, friends, and enjoy activities and hobbies like most ordinary folks. They may have to go about these activities a little different to participate, but the enjoyment is the same. They are just ordinary people, but happen to have a disability.

Okay, enough pontificating from me. Good work there, David for putting so succinctly what it took me a couple of paragraphs to write out.

One particular post I found interesting on David’s blog was his most recent, Sept. 9 post about going to college. In that post, he spells out the assistive technologies of all sorts which has served him well and gives credit to an often overlooked genius among his helpers. This post also says a lot about the individual resourcefulness each of us provides and how we can all benefit from synergy. Not to mention, that post has some very useful tips on adaptations, remedies, and fixes others might find useful.