Smartphone navigation enables us to travel confidently from point A to B, suggesting lane changes, ways to avoid traffic back-ups and accidents, and pointing out landmarks. Have you ever wished for a similar tool to use to create a resume? Today we’re sharing turn-by-turn directions to help you navigate from a blank page to writing a winning resume.

To begin: use an outline. Just as a map provides us with a visual reference for each step of our journey, an outline provides us with a bird’s eye view of where we’re going and how to get there. For those with writer’s block, those who don’t enjoy writing, or those who dislike writing about themselves, starting with an outline makes creating or revising a resume less difficult.

A typical outline contains the following resume headings –

I. Contact Information

A.  Name
B.  Address
C.  Phone Number
D.  Email address

PRO TIP: If you created your personal email address in high school or college, it might be time to get a new one. Listing your contact email on your resume as partygirl123@aol.com is like showing up to an interview in a t-shirt and jeans. Present the polished professional you are now by creating a personal email address containing your first and last name. If your name is taken, try using your middle initial, professional licenses, or a switch to another provider, e.g. JohnHSmith@yahoo.com, JohnSmithMPA@yahoo.com, or JohnHSmith@gmail.com.

II. Education

A. Degree or certificate obtained
B. Name of High school, Trade School, College, University
C. Location
D. Degree earned date
E. Any academic highlights (including club membership, scholarships, dean’s list, and volunteer work).

III. Key skills

Here you’ll want to list 5-7 skills. If this feels like bragging, reflect on things people have praised you for over the years, e.g., You’re very “organized,” “resourceful,” “creative,” etc. You should also include the skills you have worked to develop including technical skills (computer languages, software knowledge) and soft skills (teamwork, coaching, leadership).

IV. Awards or Recognitions, Highlights, Volunteer Work

Here you will list awards and recognitions (from service or professional organizations), career-related highlights (serving on a professional association board), and volunteer work. Don’t feel obligated to put all of these categories or go back further than 10-15 years to include highlights from earlier in your academic or professional career.

V. Employment

A. Company name
B. Your title
C. Hire date
D. Separation date
E. One to three sentences about your duties and responsibilities

In this section, list your previous employers with the most recent employer at the top. Bold your position title so hiring managers can quickly see the jobs you hold/held.

PRO TIP: According to the job search site Indeed most professional resumes should include 10-15 years of work history. The experts write, “For the majority of professionals, this includes between three and five different jobs. Ideally, including 10-15 years of experience allows you to show a comprehensive overview of where you started, how you have grown, and where you are now.” When applying for a job, carefully review the experience requirements. Indeed reminds us, “Some job listings call for applicants to have five years of practical experience while others may require 10-15. Tailoring your resume to suit the particular position you are applying for often helps you to seem more qualified and can persuade the hiring manager that you would be a good fit for the job.”

VI. Recent Projects and Accomplishments

This section allows you to write in greater detail about what you’re doing now. It gives a prospective employer a better understanding of what you’ve accomplished and how you contributed to the mission. In this section, you’ll want to use all the verbs. Employer rating site Glassdoor writes, “By starting each bullet point about your experience with a powerful action verb, you draw hiring managers in and give them a concrete picture of your expertise. Certain action verbs are also likely to help your resume get past automated scanning tools.”

ARRIVED. ARRIVED. ARRIVED. You’ve navigated your way from the blank page to a resume. To help you complete the process, we’ve included a sample resume and a writeable resume template (for accurate formatting, we recommend that you select SHOW paragraph marks when working in this document). Writing a resume is an ongoing process you will engage in throughout your career. A resume is a living document that will change as you acquire education, experience, and skills, and it should be custom tailored to prospective employers. Online application systems have not removed the need for a resume. In fact, Paul Wolfe in The Undercover Recruiter says, “Resumes are an important part of the hiring process, and recruiters absolutely still read them to determine if candidates are a good fit for the role they are looking to fill.”

Do you still have questions or need help? Nationwide Public Sector Jobs has Certified Professional Resume Writers on staff to guide you in completing your resume. If you would like to book a session with a professional resume writer, email us at info@mynpsj.com.