Resume Writing Basics - Part 3

       Continuing on from resume writing part 2..       

       6.       Awards and recognitions

 As stated previously, create this section only if you have too many awards and recognition (naks!) under your belt. List down all of your awards and recognitions, be it academic, work-related, or community/organization related. You can use this format:

AWARDS AND RECOGNITIONS

NAME OF AWARD (MONTH YEAR) – AWARDING ORGANIZATION

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF AWARD

What awards qualify in this section? Pretty much everything! You are only creating this part because it would be too cluttered if you placed it in, let’s say, your educational background section. A resume should always be easy to read. Remove the clutter.

      7.       Licenses and Certifications

This section is only for those in the industry with certifications and licenses like nurses, IT professionals, engineers, etc. Keep it simple but do brag include if you are part of the top scorers. :)

      8.       Personal background

A personal background should be used to let the potential employer additional information about you. Known languages, softwares used (usually MS office), hobbies (be very careful about this), and other details you think might help you get an interview.

Note that you can skip this part if you’re resumes already too long and/or feel that this section won’t be of much help to get interviewed.

      9.       Character reference

      Character reference is a list of people that your potential employer will call primarily for two things:

1. To verify your character

and

2. To verify your credentials     

      Obviously, you should place here those who have good things to say about you. BUT refrain from using your family members here as your potential employer will automatically assume them to be biased to you. Rather, include in your list your former bosses, customers, colleagues, professors, and other people whom you have worked with. General format for this would be:

CHARACTER REFERENCE

NAME / COMPANY / POSITION

CONTACT NUMBER

  

      Note:  Make sure you let the people you list here know that you included them and their contact numbers.

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      That ends my basic guide for writing a resume. Still think your resume needs improvement? I'll be writing on tips on how to further improve your resume. Stay tuned!

      How about you, do you have anything to add? Feel free to post your comments below.