Please select a page. OWL Home Page Writing Lab and OWL Info Handouts and Materials Workshops and Presentations Internet Resources owl home || writing lab and owl || handouts || workshops and presentations || internet resources

Contents What is a resume? Why write a resume? What kind of resume should you write? Tailoring for your audience Developing your content Organizing your sections Designing your page

Your Resume: General Concerns Tailoring for your audience A tailored resume shines light on those qualifications a particular employer most wants to see. As you might expect, tailored resumes are most likely to get you an interview. To tailor your resume, though, you'll need to do some research into specific companies and positions. If you are unsure how to conduct research or what to look for, please see read more about the job search . Regardless of the approach you take to writing your resume (generic or tailored), if you are creating a traditional print resume, you should write with two kinds of readers in mind:  Skimmers: Resume readers are usually very busy and will probably not read every word. Especially on their first reading, busy readers will scan for desired information. Try to make such information easy to find "at a glance." Give your resume the 15-second test: What information stands out? What information gets lost in the rush Skeptics: Once your resume has been skimmed, resume readers will look more closely and critically. Your resume may leave a good first impression on readers, but how will it look on closer inspection? Do you provide evidence and details for the careful reader? How can you make your resume look convincing "under the microscope"? How can you write for both kinds of readers at once? A key strategy involves using organization and page design to create a resume that can be skimmed easily and read critically. back to top

 Written and Designed by Bryan M. Kopp and the Business Writing Consulting/Tutoring Staff with the Assistance of Liz Thelen.

owl home || writing lab and owl || handouts || workshops and presentations || internet resources This page is located at http://owl.english.purdue.edu/workshops/hypertext/ResumeW/tailor.html Receive weekly tips and updates from Purdue's OWL and Writing Lab!         Copyright ©1995-2004 by OWL at Purdue University and Purdue University. All rights reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our terms and conditions of fair use. To contact OWL, please refer to our contact information page so that you email the appropriate person. Requests for help sent to the wrong address may not receive a timely response.