Chances are when you're flipping through the want ads or looking at employment postings, the people hiring will ask for a resume. While there are several methods for preparing one, all resumes MUST contain the following information:

Your identity:

• your name, complete address, telephone number (with area code).

Your education:

• the name(s) of your school(s), name of diplomas or degrees earned
• dates (when you began school, completed school or expect to complete school)

Work Experience:

• list of all full or part time and summer jobs

Other things you might want to include:

• Job objective.
• Achievements and Awards.
• Hobbies and Interest.
• References.

The two most common formats you can use to create your resume:

1. Chronological: resume lists dates, educational background, work history taking the historical approach.

2. Functional: resume emphasizes abilities and achievements. It is organized according to skills and not a time frame.

Points to keep in mind:

• A resume is not your autobiography. Don't write an essay and avoid irrelevant details.

• It should be typed and error-free on white paper. Mistakes are a bad reflection of you.

• Be honest.

• Try to keep your resume to a single page.

• It is a good idea to include: "REFERENCES AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST" at the end of your resume. Actually including a reference list means more paper for people to shift through.

• Make sure you get permission from people before you use them as references.

• If you have no job experience, include other experiences such as projects you might have undertaken, or special programs you have been involved with.

• Never include a picture

There are a few good sites on the web for students preparing their resumes.

Check out:

My Future (http://www.myfuture.com) You can key in your personal information and get a completed resume back, ready for printing!