Getting Started

First, the best advice that you can possibly receive is to take a look at some of the examples of different resumes found in some of the resume books provided at your library.  Resumes are not simply written, they are designed. 

Of course, if you do not have the time to do that, Microsoft Word, one of the programs found on the public computers on the first and third floors, provides a few useful templates for designing resumes that can be used while seeking employment.

1. Look on the desktop (the original computer screen with all of the icons on it) and find a blue and white icon with a big blue “W” in the center of it.  This is the Microsoft Word icon. 
   
   
2. Double-click on the Microsoft Word icon using the LEFT button of your mouse.
   
   
3. On the right hand side of the Word document toward the middle is a heading that says “Open.”  Under this heading is a hypertext link that says “Create a new document.”  Click on this hyperlink.
   
   
4. Now click on the link that says “On my computer,” found under “Templates.”
   
   
5. Click on the tab that says “Other Documents.”
   
   
6. Double click on “Professional resume.”  There are other resume templates that you may use, but “Professional resume” is one of the more popular ones, especially since it places your name, address, and phone number at the very top of your resume.

Adding the Details

What you should now see is an example of a resume by Microsoft Word.  Of course, the person being described here is not you, so you will have to change it.

1. Look at the very first set of words.  It should say, “Click here and type your address.”  Left click there once, then type in your address.  Do the same for the phrase, “Put phone, fax, and e-mail here.” The only other time you will make your changes in this manner is when you are typing in your “Objective.”
   
   
2. Now point the mouse arrow on the left side of the name.  Hold the left key down and drag the mouse to the right at the same time.  This is called “highlighting.”  Now type in your name.  When you begin to type, the previous name will be erased.
   
   
3. Enter the rest of the information the same way you entered your name.
   
   
4. If you decide that you want to change your lettering style, go to “Edit” and choose “Select All.”  Go to the small window that is one window to the left of the “B I U” icons at the top.  Click on the downward pointing arrow of that icon, and then click on the font that you want to use.  Usually the best font to use is “Times New Roman.”
   
   
5. Now SAVE YOUR WORK ON A DISC. To do this, left click on “File” found at the top left of your document, choose “Save as,” change the “Save in” selection to the “3 ½ Floppy” drive using the drop down arrow (floppies are available at the Reference desk or the Computer Center), give your resume a name, and hit “Save.”  Be sure to save your work every 10 minutes.  There are a thousand ways you can lose your work if you do not save it, such as through computer screen freezes and power outages.

1. Repeat steps 1-3 of Getting Started, found in the previous panel.
   
   
2. Go to “Templates” on the right hand side of the Word document  and click on “Templates on Office Online.”
   
   
3. Scroll down about half way down the screen and click on “Letters.”
   
   
4. Now scroll down and click on “Cover Letters.” Click on the cover letter that you want to use.  The picture on the left of each cover letter is a preview of what the cover letter will look like.
   
   
5. Click on “Download.”
   
   
6. If a yellowish bar appears at the top of the screen, right click on it, choose “Active Control X,” and click on “Continue.”  This does not always happen.

Bullets and Numbers

You may decide that you need to add more bullets than the ones provided, or that using numbers is more fashionable.  To do this, set the cursor (the flashing vertical line that designates where your typed words will appear) at the very end of your last typed bullet. Hit the [ENTER] key on your keyboard one time. A new bullet will now appear.

If you decide that you want to use numbers instead of bullets, highlight all of the words Microsoft has provided for you in that section (not the entire document) and hit the [DELETE] key on your keyboard.  The highlighting will not reach the bullets, but they will be deleted. If the top bullet remains, simply use the [BACKSPACE] key to remove it.

At the top of your Microsoft Word document lying slightly to the right of “B I U” icons is another icon that is made of three lines labeled “1., 2., 3.”  Left click on that icon. You may notice that the number “1” that appeared is slightly off.  Hit the [BACKSPACE] button one time.

Now that it is lined up, type in what you want your potential employer to know and hit [ENTER] to form the next number at the end of each sentence or statement. 

Some Final Tips

1. Try to make your resume 1 page in length.
   
   
2. Former jobs that are related to the position(s) for  which you are applying for should be placed in bold and/or underlined.  This can be done by highlighting the word(s) and left clicking on the B or U icons at the top center of your Microsoft Word document. 
    
3. Get to the point.  Human Resources Departments often skip lengthy resumes.
   
   
4. Make sure your name, address, phone number, and e-mail are clearly present.  If you do not have an e-mail account, get one. They are free.
   
   
5. Do not put your entire resume in bold, and avoid using overly fancy words. Basically speaking, make your resume as easy to read as possible.

It is strongly recommended that you e-mail your resume to yourself as a back up.  The following instructions explain how to e-mail your resume to yourself using Yahoo.com.

1. After completing your resume, go to “File,” choose “Save As,” choose “3 ½ Floppy” (not “My Documents”), and hit “Save.”
   
   
2. Go into your e-mail account and click on the drop-down menu next to “New” on the left hand side. Choose “E-mail Message.”
   
   
3. Enter your own entire e-mail address in the “To” address bar, and type “Resume” in the “Subject” bar. 
   
   
4. Type “Please see attachment” in the message box.
   
   
5. Click on “Attach Files,” then click on the “Browse” button. 
   
   
6. Hit “My Computer,” double click on 3 ½  floppy, then double click on your resume.
   
   
7. Hit “Attach Files” again.  You should now see a picture of a paper clip under the “Subject” section with your resume’s name. 
   
   
8. Now hit “Send,” then “Check Mail.” 
   

To retrieve your e-mailed resume

1. Click on “Inbox,” and double click on the message that you sent to yourself.
   
   
2. Click on “DOC,” then click on “Download File,” “Save,” “Desktop,” and click “Save” again.
   
   
3. Go to your “Desktop” and double click on you resume. 
   
   
4. When you are done, be sure to DELETE YOUR RESUME FROM OFF OF THE DESKTOP.