What To Include

Class Location: The Internet.

Description: This course goes over what is highly recommended to include in a resume.

Objective: Learn what to include on your resume.

You want your resume to highlight your accomplishments that relate directly to the job you're seeking. At the same time, you don't want to waste the interviewer's time by including irrelevant information. Try to be as brief as possible. If you're still early in your career, try to limit your resume to a single page. Even if you have a long career, don't go over two pages. Remember that the easier you make the interviewer's job, the more likely he or she is to spend time with your resume.

Include a section on any awards you've received that show excellence in the skills you need for this particular job. For instance, if you're applying for a writing job, include the fact that you've won a Pulitzer Prize, but leave out your cooking award.

Another section can highlight any professional associations to which you belong. Also mention any leadership roles you may have in these associations. Leave out any potentially controversial memberships, such as political or religious associations.

You may also include several other optional categories, such as career objectives, a summary of qualifications and personal information. If you have a clear long-term career plan that relates directly to the skills listed on your resume, you can include it as a career objective. In addition to, instead of or combined with the career objective, you can also include a summary of qualifications. This is helpful if your resume is very long or detailed or includes a wide variety of job experiences. The summary will help prepare and intrigue the interviewer to read further.

Include a section on personal information only if it adds to your credibility. Information such as age or marital status is irrelevant and can only evoke any pre-existing judgments the interviewer may have. This section can include military experience if it highlights skills you need for this particular job or adds to your respectability.