There are numerous resources that you can check for examples of traditional resumes. We encourage you to check our article entitled "Key Words" for a detailed view on editing your resume. The traditional format is considered the foundation of all resumes in this day and age of scannable and byteable resumes. They are all offshoots from the traditional resume. You might ask yourself a question "How do know if I need to use a traditional resume or another type of format?" The best step that you can do is first layout your resume on paper. Using the old paper format and obtaining an "aerial" view of your resume, you can get better perspective that just viewing it on the computer screen. There is something to be said about the paper format. It's easier to edit and piece together versus the school of cut and paste. Most resumes start with an emotional base. After all, you are selling you! It can be quite personal. Start with the main thoughts as they materialize and write down all the items that you wish to express. Don't worry about having too much to say and keeping within the standard of a one-page format. There will be plenty of time to edit to a one-pager. Now is the time to be creative and use a master template format as described in our Constructing the Resume". article.

Benefits:
There are many benefits to the traditional resume. It is generally uncluttered and very easy to read. It is based a one-page format and takes advantages of 8 ½ x 11" margins. This formatting makes it very easy to "skim" for the employer. In the majority of cases most candidates choose to use special effects with their traditional resumes. You can create quite an impact by using bold, italics, underline and bullets to create the desired effect.

Print the resume on a high-quality bond weight of paper. 16 - 25 pound stock works best. Make sure your printer produces clean and crisp copies. You want to insure that every copy looks like an original.

Format:
The heading of your resume should list your name centered with no nicknames. Your address should be listed under your name. Make sure that your address is not a P.O. Box or a c/o address with another person listed. Your phone number should be centered under your address. As a side note, make sure that the phone number has an answering machine with a businesslike message. You might even want to list the best times that you can be reached in your message to decrease phone tag.

We encourage that you do not use an objective. Further details on this issue please the article "Objective or No Objective".

If you feel the strong urge to include an objective, just list a summary of your job skills and abilities. This list is usually in a bullet point format with no more than your top four skills.

Education training comes next. Always list the highest level of educational achievement first. Work backwards to high school education, if applicable. List other degrees that are applicable. Also list course work or other seminars that you have taken and completed relevant to the position.

Work experience is next. You want to include all paid work experience, ie., volunteer, internship and consultants duties. Under each position you should list the title and the organization's name, city and state. List any relevant accomplishments, skills and responsibilities.

Always use action terms for describing your past and current work experience. Examples would be: Interaction with... Acted as liaison for/between... Established... Formulated... Edited... Handled... Initiated... Implemented... Managed... Assigned territory consisting of... Maintained... Promoted to/from... Instrumental in... Recipient of... Remained as... Innovation resulted in... Honored as... Amounting to a total savings of... Recommendations accepted by... Administered... Adept at... Analyzed/Assessed... Assisted with... Arranged... Coordinated... Counseled... Delegated... Conducted... Directed... Demonstrated... Developed... Advised... Consulted... Delivered... Budgeted... Drafted... Evaluated... Gathered... Installed... Improved... Instructed... Investigated... Negotiated... Organized... Planned... Performed... Presented... Recommended... Proven track record in... Experience involved/included... More than [ ] years experience... Expertise and demonstrated skills... Successful in/at... Experienced in all facets/phases... Knowledge of/experienced as... Extensive training/involvement... Initially employed... Specialized in... Proficient/competent at... Assigned to... Reported directly to... Served/Operated as... In charge of... Direct/Indirect control... Familiar with... Assigned to... Contracted/Subcontracted... Provided technical assistance... Acted/Functioned as... on an ongoing /regular basis... to ensure maximum/optimum... Worked closely with... Resulted in... Accomplished, etc.

Your skills and extracurricular activities should be listed at the end. List any significant involvement that can be perceived as a benefit to the company. Only list relevant hobbies and activities. A general rule format is to create one page of text for every ten years of experience.

Make sure the format always lists your most important or strongest qualifications first. You will also want to include the appropriate keywords in all the resumes you create. You never can tell where the final destination of your resume is going to be. Even though you might be using a traditional resume and making the assumption that only one person is going to read it, you will be surprised where it can eventually end up!

Creative writing:
Always use short paragraphs that are to the point and show that you are decisive person. Always be brief and don't elaborate too much. Always avoid using any slang terms or street language. You never can tell who might be reading this resume and get the wrong perception. Review your resume frequently and have others review it for grammatical errors, spelling, typos and punctuation.

Here is an example of the traditional format:

Summary of Skills:

Diverse and comprehensive management in the textile industry in both start-up and corporate environment. Complete awareness of industry policies and procedures pertaining to governmental regulations current standards and the litigation process. Strong corporate backgrounds in project creation implementation and focus groups.

Administration
Directed managerial components of projects.
Managed materials requisitions pertaining to human resources.
Primary liaison between corporate and management teams.
Supervised staff of 24 administrative and technical personnel.
Coordinated quality assurance goals and governmental supervision.
Administered in-house training and education.

Research & Development
Supervised Research and Development Departments in software management development.
Managed divisional distribution of software allocations and assessment.

Corporate Relations
Developed, implemented and evaluated budgetary goals and investments.
Managed overall teaching and education programming.
Worked closely with outsourcing and consultant supervision.

Education
Masters of Business Administration, University of Southern California
Los Angeles, Ca., January 1993.
Masters of Technical Management, Bill Gates University, Redmond, WA., 1997

Professional Work Experience
Amazon.com, COO, New York, NY, 1995-current.
Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Executive Director, Pasadena, Ca. 1991-1995.
Federal Communications Commission, Manager, Corporate Relations., 1986-1991.

Genesis 47:5
Give them the best land of Egyptthe land of Goshen will be fine. And if any of them have special skills, put them in charge of my livestock, too.

Exodus 28:3
Instruct all those who have special skills as tailors to make the garments that will set Aaron apart from everyone else, so he may serve me as a priest.

Exodus 35:35
The LORD has given them special skills as jewelers, designers, weavers, and embroiderers in blue, purple, and scarlet yarn on fine linen cloth. They excel in all the crafts needed for the work.

1 Chronicles 28:21
The various divisions of priests and Levites will serve in the Temple of God. Others with skills of every kind will volunteer, and the leaders and the entire nation are at your command.

By: Jeff Farmer, MA, NCCC
©Christian Employment Resource, 2010