Writing an Effective Résumé
Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) receives an average of 7,000
résumés each month. To compete effectively for a position at LANL,
create a résumé that is not only comprehensive but also brief. This web
site provides some basic guidance to maximize the probability of your
being contacted for an interview.
Make your résumé “generic” or “one size fits all” so that it can be used to
apply for a variety of jobs for which you are qualified. Customize your job
application by writing a cover letter tailored for the job for which you are
applying. Information on the cover letter should detail how you fulfill the
required and desired skills as well as the education and experience
expectations.
A résumé is appropriate for people with high school diplomas, associate’s
degrees, bachelor’s degrees, or master’s degrees without significant
experience and/or publications.
If you have a master’s degree and you have authored numerous
publications or if you have a doctoral degree, you should use a CV
curriculum vita(e) rather than a résumé. A CV is a longer, more
comprehensive document than a résumé is. CV guidance is offered at this
web link: _________________________
General Information
Good résumés result in interview opportunities.
Interviews lead to jobs.
You do not have to tell or include EVERYTHING in a résumé.
A résumé is a marketing tool. It is a snapshot of you and what you do well. It is a
teaser, not a true confession! It is not an autobiography!
A résumé is a promotional or marketing document! An advertisement of you! You
are the product! At an interview, the interviewer gets to check out the product!
Stand out because of what you have to offer.
Answer the question: “What can this person do for us?” Tell them and tell them
how. Give evidence.
You have 10 to 20 seconds to get the reader’s attention and to convince the reader
to keep reading. Be powerful quickly!
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A Functional Résumé
A functional résumé highlights transfe