Resume+Decision-making


 * RESUME DECISION-MAKING**

Our initial advice is that you think of Secondary English Education resume writing as creating a document that maybe significantly different documents from business resumes, performing arts resumes, engineering resumes, etc. Education resumes need to be written for readers who are searching individuals who can teach the types of students a particular school or setting includes, who can teach specific subjects, and who can bring other qualities to the job. As you write your resumes you'll want to think about what your audience needs and how you can present your resume story so that it argues for your ability to fulfill your readers' needs.

Many elements may appear in common among your resumes, but the choices you make about your content will target your resume to a particular position and audience which will help secure you the interview you desire. And though writing so many resumes is hard work, youw ill want to have a number of resume versions saved in computer files so you can tweak them for the specific position you find yourself seeking.

Different resume writing experts (people who have studied how individuals writer resumes and how employers read them) have different advice about getting started. Every real expert agrees that you will need to think carefully about your audience, will need to have your potential resume information collected in some repository, and will need to make a number of choices.
 * Getting Started**

No one who really understands resumes will suggest you make a generic resume, although some people who will want to help you will tell you a generic resume is a great idea. You will need to ignore the advice of the generic-resume pushers. Some experts suggest you begin with an audience analysis as a way to help you start thinking of your readers early. Others recommend you campute all your information in a Resume Brainstorming File as a way to think freely before you begin to focus your thoughts on your audience and your format, and still others will advise you to develop a large version of your resume, which you will then use to form a succinct, targeted resume based on the jobs for which you apply.

Before you begin to think about a resume format or style, try to think about what your readers will want or need from the individuals they want to interview and think about what you can offer to meet the demands of your readers. As you do begin to think about the format and content, keep in mind six resume writing principles.


 * Resume Writing Principles

1. Tailor your resume for a specific job/purpose. 2. Present a focused image by selecting what you'll present of your background, experience, skills, and abilities. 3. Match your background to your readers' needs. 4. Offer the information most relevant to your readers' needs first, even if that means you have to create new resume categories. 5. Format your resume for left to right reading, with the most relevant information beginning at the left. 6. Consider the various resume elements as arguments you can offer to persuade your readers. 7. Avoid repeating information unless the repetition is something favorable to your overall resume argument.

Learning From Processes Even when you follow the good advice of resume wriitng principles, you may make less-than-optimal choices (mistakes) as you create your resume. You should expect a few slips given that you're learning to write in a genre you might not have mastered previously. Because you'll want to learn from our less effective decisions, you'll want to engage in a resume writing process that will let you share your document with trusted advisors and will let you revisit the logic of your choices.

Common Mistakes But you don't have to learn through all mistakes possible--we can offer you a list of common mistakes so you can avoid them from the beginning. One of the most common mistakes many resume writers make is to begin the process with a template--either one they found in MicroSoft Word or one they borrowed from a friend whose resume they liked. Your resume should be unique because no one else can offer the reader the same experiences, background, and abilities you will bring to a particular job. If you try to use a predetermined format to shorten your decision making process, you might end up with a document that doesn't present you as well as a resume could. Let your resume shape itself through a process of careful reader-based decisions. You'll be glad you did.

Need an example of a reader-based decision? Well, an example of a good reader-based decision you might make as a Secondary English Education resume writer involves length. Because you have heard authorities say that a resume is one page, you may think you have to cram all your information on one page. You might increase your margins to .4 on each side and top/bottom, decrease your font to 9 pt., and make other choices to get in all the valuable information on one page. But don't play those kinds of games. Instead, realize that your readers--school administrators and your potential fellow teachers--expect lots of information from a person applying for a secondary or middle school teaching positions. Logically, you have too much experience to cram on one page. Keep in ming that you'll need to show your teaching experience, which might involve pre-internship, internship, substitute teaching, and more. You'll need to cover your education experiences and indicate your certifications. You have lots more to say, also. Therefore, avoid the mistake of a one-page English Education resume.

**