Writing a resume is never an easy task. You want to be able to stand out from all the other resumes that get to a recruiter or hiring manager's desk. Remember you have only 15-30 seconds to make an impression. Here are my tips on what you can do to get your resume written.

1. Cover Letter: Highlight your objective in your cover letter, tailoring it to the advertisement posted by the hiring company. A recruiter will want to read more in your resume, so don't divulge too much information. Take three key requirements the employer is looking for and compare them to how you fulfill their business needs. Remember to state how you found out about the opportunity and how you will be following up with them.Make sure your contact information is accurate and visible.
   
   
2. Functional or Chronological Resume: Functional resumes are used to highlight your strengths by taking key words and citing overall job accomplishments. This type of resume is for anyone who has gaps in their employment history. Chronological resumes show a consistent job history from the present to the past.This is the most common one to use. You can even do a combination of both. Remember your main goal is to get an interview and continue the process until you are chosen as the candidate for the position.
   
   
3. Objective: If you are going to use one in your resume, the objective should be tailored to the job you are applying for.Don't use the same old objective, "I want to work for a company that highlights my skills and learn from them". The more specific you are in your objective, the better chance you have of being considered for an interview.
   
   
4. Functional Summary: You can use this instead of an objective in order to summarize your work history and expertise. The summary can present the top reasons why employers should contact you — your value proposition. With a compelling summary, employers will be more likely to read your resume.
   
   
5. Punctuations, Grammar, and Spelling: This should be checked before you send the resume to anyone. Have someone proof read your resume. Make a print out of your resume to make sure you have a period at the end of each sentence. Use the Past Tense for jobs you held. Use Present Tense for current positions. Read it out loud to see if you left any words out.
   
   
6. Email Address: Create one for job searching. I used lucilla.feliciano@gmail for anything related to job searching. I use another email for jokes or other updates. There is no need for cloak and dagger when looking for a job. You want to look as professional as possible.
   
   
7. Format, Organization, and Content: Make sure your resume is uniform and organized. Include bullets instead of using a short paragraph. Cite 3-4 examples of important information. Highlight quotas, rankings, # of people supervised. State if you worked in teams. Font size should be no larger than 10-11. Play with the formatting. You want to stand out by creating a resume that separates the information and is easy to read for your future manager.
   
   
8. Skills, Training, and Certifications: The skills should be concrete details throughout your resume. Soft skills can be turned into concrete details as well. Don't just say you multi-tasked; cite specific examples of how you did many things at one time. Include Certifications, Trainings, Awards, Volunteer Work, and Professional Organizations in separate sections.Companies today want to see if you are continuing your education by attending trainings, keeping up to date with current trends in their industry, and how you have volunteered your time outside of the office.
   
   
9. Resume Title: Make sure you have something that is catchy when sending your resume as an attachment or posting it on a job board. If you are into fitness, use that and the number of years in the industry to show your dedication. Example: "Fitness & Health Guru 4+yrs" looks better than just "Resume" or "Your name".
   
   
10. References: You should have these on a separate sheet of paper. About 3-4 people for references will do. There is no need to put that at the bottom of your resume.
    
    
11. Networking Sites and Your Domain Name: Many recruiters I listen to via Pod Cast and interact with via social sites, state that you should have a profile on www.LinkedIn.com. The site is for professionals looking to connect with future employers and old co-workers. You can join or create groups that coincide with your expertise. Another tip recruiters and job experts suggest is to buy your domain name (www.yourname.com). Think of your site as an online portfolio.Make sure your name is available and start building your online brand in a positive, professional manner.
    

Remember:
A. Conduct Research on Your Ideal Job.(Current trends, salaries, etc.)
B. Compare Your Credentials against their Requirements.
C. Relay the Value You Bring to the Table.(You are a brand, not just a resume.)
D. Focus on your goal. (Be Specific.)
E. Proofread and Perfect.