Outlining an Effective Resume

Joe Arrigo is a resource development manager at Modis and the owner of Advisr Enterprises, both in Sacramento, California. With Modis, Joe Arrigo provides IT and engineering firms in Northern California with reliable staffing services. His responsibilities in this role include reviewing, formatting, and otherwise optimizing resumes prior to submission to clients.

There are a number of key elements that comprise an effective resume. Following a list of all pertinent personal information, including contact info, individuals should begin their resumes with an employment objective or mission statement. This statement, ideally a single sentence, must encapsulate both the goal of the job search and the potential employee’s professional attitude and identity. This statement should be customizable so that relevant skills can be highlighted depending on the specific job being applied to.

A mission statement is typically followed by an educational profile, which should emphasize relevant course work and achievements. Certifications garnered outside of academic settings can also be listed here. Individuals can then proceed to list any and all past employment positions that may improve their chances of being hired, including internships and volunteer work.

Resumes generally conclude with sections highlighting the individual’s awards, skills, and personal interests, including activities with academic or community groups. An effective resume concludes with between three and five references, though the number and nature of references may be dictated by the potential employer.